Rings: History and Diversity

HISTORY

Rings have a long and rich history, with some of the earliest examples dating back to ancient Egypt. It was the Egyptian pharaohs who first used rings to represent eternity. That's because a circle has no beginning and no end, and reflects the shape of the sun and the moon, which the Egyptians worshiped.

Throughout the European Middle Ages the signet ring was of great importance in religious, legal, and commercial transactions. There were also memorial rings, upon which were engraved the name, date of death, or even the effigy of a deceased person. Posy rings, upon which were engraved an inscription or a few lines of verse, and occult rings, which functioned as amulets or talismans and were supposed to have magical powers. Rings with bezels that opened may also have held sentimental keepsakes in miniature.

By the 19th century, the traditional distinctions between ring types had mostly broken down, giving way to rings of all kinds inspired by past styles. Fine-quality modern rings, many of which are machine-made, usually consist of gold or silver and feature standard-sized diamonds or other precious stones. They are worn either for purposes of simple adornment or as symbols of betrothal and marital fidelity.

RING TYPES

There are many different types of rings, including engagement rings, wedding rings, promise rings, eternity rings, and fashion rings.

• Engagement Rings: In Medieval times it was a sign that the bride had received the dowry. Now, it has developed into the romantic symbol we appreciate today. The engagement ring stands for the promise of marriage, it symbolises devotion and commitment to the beloved partner. The shape of the ring already indicates its meaning: it is circular - without beginning and end - and thus it has become a universal sign of eternal love and faithfulness, perfection and infinity. Engagement rings come in many styles and can be set with diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and many other breath-taking designs and stones, some of which are featured on our jewellery store right here.

• Wedding Rings: They represent the unbreakable bond of lifelong love and commitment between two married people. They are exchanged as part of the marriage ceremony in the UK and many other countries, and are often – but not always – made with a relatively simple design. Wedding rings are sometimes referred to as wedding bands, and are worn by both men and women.

• Promise Rings: In the simplest of terms, a promise ring is a step up from dating. It shows the world that your heart belongs to another and that you’re devoted to protecting and nurturing that relationship. These days, a promise ring is most commonly given as a precursor to an engagement, but that is not always the case.

• Eternity Rings: A symbol of everlasting love, eternity rings are just as much of a promise of commitment as an engagement ring or wedding ring. Adorned with a continuing band of diamonds or gemstones, eternity rings are known to represent ever-lasting love. If you’ve ever wondered about the history of eternity rings, they have been around for over 4,000 years and were first found in Ancient Egypt made from bone, beads and occasionally metal. Based on the symbol of infinity, the circular shape of the band historically represents the circle of life. Browse our spectacular collection of sparkling eternity rings in a variety of designs and prices!