A Brief History of Rings
The concept of rings being worn as decorative finger jewelry has been around for literal millennia, dating all the way back to the Bronze Age, where rings were discovered from the Indus Valley Civilization of South Asia. Since that time, rings have been used as jewelry across other ancient cultures throughout history, including Ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, and the Middle Ages in Europe.
Each finger has its own symbolic meaning, so the placement of a ring signifies something different. For example, the ring finger on your left hand is the standard placement for an engagement or wedding ring. This is because it was believed the left finger is directly connected to your heart via the “vena amoris” (the vein of love) – a belief that originated in Ancient Egypt. Placements for other rings include the left pinky finger for signet rings and the pointer finger of your right hand for birthstone rings, while thumb rings were originally worn by archers to prevent injury to their thumbs while shooting arrows.
While the style and functionality of rings have varied from culture to culture, it’s clear that rings have continued to stand the test of time as a fashionable and versatile piece of jewelry.
Popular Ring Types and Styles
Diamond Rings are among the most popular types of rings, and are traditionally used for engagement rings, which come in a variety of styles – from the classic solitaire diamond ring, to cushioned three-stone rings. Choosing the right engagement ring can be daunting, so if you’re needing some help, we have an in-depth engagement ring guide.
Wedding Bands, like engagement rings, are a highly researched and sought-after type of ring. While engagement rings generally feature a single prominent gemstone, wedding bands a bit more subdued. Women’s wedding bands are intended to complement the engagement ring, while men’s wedding bands are either a solid metal band without a stone or a gem-encrusted band with smaller gemstones. For more information, check out our wedding band guide to find your perfect ring.
Gemstone Rings are also extremely fashionable, providing jewelry aficionados a spectrum of colors to choose from to make a bolder statement than your standard diamond – but perhaps the most popular gemstone rings are birthstone rings. These rings feature specific gemstones that are associated with the wearer’s birth month, making them the perfect gift. To discover the meaning of each birthstone, check out our birthstone guide.
No Stone Rings, or Plain Rings, are as the name implies – rings without diamonds or gemstones. What makes these rings stand out is the type of metal used to make the ring. Gold rings or silver rings are the most popular no stone rings, but tungsten and titanium rings have grown in popularity over the years – especially for men’s rings. Check out our precious metals guide to figure out what would work best for you.
Personalized Rings are another great option for rings! These can be class rings, couples rings, or family rings – just to name a few options. You can get them customized with a loved one’s name, a special phrase, or a significant date. These are great rings to give as gifts, or you can get a customized ring for yourself to remember something (or someone) special.
Other popular ring styles include cocktail rings, promise rings, and other fashion rings that can be worn for any event or occasion – the possibilities are endless!
