Rings

Ornaments and jewellery have been worn to distinguish members of society in cultures around the world for centuries. One of the key pieces of jewellery in any collection, from the ancient to the modern, is a ring. Rings are given to individuals for a host of reasons, and can symbolise anything from a person’s availability for dating to membership of a club. There are rosary rings, watch rings, mood rings, class rings, claddagh rings, signet rings and sovereign rings just to name a few.

Through the ages, rings have been crafted from a number of different materials. Rings have been carved from wood, bone and even soft stones, such as soap stone. More commonly, modern rings are made from almost anything that can be moulded into a circular shape including glass, plastic and metal. The most common metals for rings to be made with are silver, gold and platinum, though other, less-precious metals are also used.

Rings marking significant events, such as engagements, marriage and anniversaries, are usually adorned with precious or semi-precious gemstones. Engagement rings are commonly sold with one large precious stone, most often a diamond, set on it’s own or with smaller stones to accent it. Anniversary rings, or eternity rings, often use an alternating pattern of diamond and another precious or semi-precious stone. Though wedding rings are more typically unadorned, many couples opt to have precious stones, such as diamonds, set in the traditional wedding band.

Clubs and organisations often give rings to members as a means of identification, enabling members to network outside their local area. Also, some organisations provide rings to indicate a member’s status within the group – presidents, for example, may receive a ring with a more valuable stone than general members.

There are also a good variety of rings available for even the tiniest fingers. Though sizing varies from range to range, most jewellers are able to find rings to suit boys and girls. Styles include the popular signet, sovereign and claddagh rings, which are sometimes embellished with a diamond or other precious stone. There are even rings for babies available from select jewellers – usually, these are teeny tiny versions of the same popular styles.

What’s more, rings aren’t just for fingers. The two most common types of ring worn off the hand are the toe ring and the arm ring, which is more commonly referred to as an armband. Armbands, or armlets, are worn on the upper arm as an ornament. Generally, armbands are made from precious metal, such as gold or silver, and must be shaped and sized specifically to fit the wearer’s biceps snugly.

Rings for men, women and children can be purchased from both jewellers and select high street shops around the country. There are also a growing number of online jewellers specialising in custom-made rings and other jewellery items. Whether you’re looking for a ring for yourself, your partner or a special child, you’ll need to be sure you know what size the ring you require is. Though ring sizes are ‘standard’ throughout the UK, it is always best to consult the jeweller you’re going to buy from to determine the size you need – even online jewellers are usually able to provide you with a functional sizing guide that you can use.