![]() ![]() They had a central role in the interconnected roles of swearing oaths, affirming loyalty through gifting, and in financial transactions. Rings were highly important in early Germanic cultures, being worn variously on arms, fingers and necks. Main article: Rings in early Germanic cultures Over time, the bezel moved towards a more circular form. The most typical design of the period involved a lozenge bezel mounting an intaglio device. The classical period showed a shift away from bronze to a wider adoption of silver and gold. As gold was not locally available, rings made in the eastern colonies tended to be made from silver and bronze, while Etruscans used gold. Archaic and classical Greek Īrchaic Greek rings were to some extent influenced by Egyptian rings, although they tended to be less substantial and were not generally used as working signet rings. Native styles were superseded by Greek and Roman fashions during the Ptolemaic dynasty. Egyptians made not only metal rings but rings from faience, some of which were used as new year gifts. Rings became more common during the Egyptian Middle Kingdom, containing increasingly complex designs. People in Old Kingdom Egypt wore a variety of rings, of which a few examples have been found, including the famous scarab design. The Hittite civilization produced rings, including signet rings, only a few of which have been discovered. Rings have been found in tombs in Ur dating back to circa 2500 BC. Factories of small beads have been discovered in Lothal, India. Rings and other types of jewelry including necklaces, bracelets, earrings, bangles and pendants have been discovered from the 3rd millennium BC Indus Valley civilization. The parts of a ring: 1) hoop, 2) shoulder, 3) bezel, and 4) stone or gem in setting or mounting Ancient India Rings can be made to sport insignia which may be impressed on a wax seal or outfitted with a small compartment in which to conceal things. They may be set with gemstones (diamond, ruby, sapphire or emerald) or with other types of stone or glass.Īlthough some people wear rings as mere ornaments or as conspicuous displays of wealth, rings have symbolic functions respecting marriage, exceptional achievement, high status or authority, membership in an organization, and the like. Rings may be made of almost any hard material: wood, bone, stone, metal, glass, gemstone or plastic. Rings always fit snugly around or in the part of the body they ornament, so bands worn loosely, like a bracelet, are not rings. ![]() The term "ring" by itself always denotes jewellery worn on the finger when worn as an ornament elsewhere, the body part is specified within the term, e.g., earrings, neck rings, arm rings, and toe rings. Browse a broader array of rings in our collection of fine jewelry.A ring is a round band, usually made of metal, worn as ornamental jewelry. Those who prefer the thrill of the hunt have a range of vintage letter charms and pendants to sift through.įind diamond signet rings, onyx signet rings and other varieties of this fashionable accessory on 1stDibs. That is the reason jewelers have revived traditional signet rings, custom-engraving their designs with customers’ preferred words or symbols. In recent years, fashion has been primarily about individuality, and nothing is more personal than a jewel bearing a name or monogram. Later, during the 19th century, precious and semiprecious stones such as rubies and diamonds were added to gold signet rings as they took on a more ornate appearance than they had previously. During the Middle Ages, signet rings were symbols of power and prestige and common accessories for nobility. Whatever may have been engraved on the ring - a married couple’s initials, a family crest - identified ownership for the purposes of authenticating documents and more when impressed on soft wax. The rings, which may historically be referred to as “seal rings,” date back thousands of years and were used as a form of signature. Signet rings get their name from signus, which means “sign” in Latin. Traditionally considered a ring for men, antique and vintage signet rings today are popular gifts for anyone who desires an expressive, timeless piece of jewelry that can feature all manner of engraved motifs, gemstones, specific symbols or monograms. ![]()
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