Types Of Rings And Their Meanings
Rings are not only for personal adornment, or to make a bold fashion statement; sometimes wearing a ring conveys a deeper symbolic meaning like any type of commitment or abstinence or even an allegiance towards some group, thing or thought process.
People world over wear rings for numerous reasons and hereinbelow are some of the Most Prominent Types of Rings with their meanings:
- Class Ring
A class ring (also known as a graduation, graduate, senior, or grad ring) is a ring worn by students and alumni to commemorate their graduation, generally for a high school, college or university. Basically, class rings signify the goal of graduation, gaining the status of a "badge of honor" similar to a diploma, entitling the wearer to display the insignia facing outward of the ring. The Class Ring can be customized to insert various emblems, pictures, and words to be added to the sides and even inside the center gem of the ring.
- Promise Ring
A promise ring is a sign of commitment between two people, more often as the first token of a serious relationship that is just developing, but exchanging Promise Rings can equally be a symbol of a joint commitment which is not related to love like being and remaining faithful, giving up smoking, maintain friendship, etc. any mutual undertaking.
- Engagement Ring
An engagement ring is a ring indicating that the person wearing it is engaged to be married, especially in Western cultures. A ring is presented as an Engagement Gift by a partner to their prospective spouse when they propose marriage or directly after a marriage proposal is accepted. It represents a formal agreement to future marriage.
- Masonic Rings
Masonic Signet rings are generally worn by freemasons men as a symbol of loyalty to its mission and values, a type of authentic affiliation to the group. Members of the secret society of Free Masons may choose to wear a Masonic ring to honor allegiance to their brotherhood. Often the ring includes the Masonic square and compasses, with or without the letter G at its center.
- Purity Ring
A Purity Ring is a relatively new trend, begun in the 1990s by abstinence groups and worn by pre-teens and teens to sign a pledge to remain a virgin until marriage. Sometimes they are inscribed with the words “Love Waits.” These rings are worn on the third finger of the left hand, meant to represent that the wearer will remain a virgin until marriage.
- Wedding Ring
A wedding ring is worn on the third finger of the left hand to symbolize that the wearer is married. A man or a woman may wear this ring. These rings can be simple or elaborate in design, from a basic gold band to a circle of glittering diamonds. The ring is worn on the third finger of the left hand because years ago it was believed that there was a vein running from this finger directly to the heart.
- Trilogy rings
The trilogy ring acquired its name from the fact that it is set with three stones. These stones represent the past, present and the future. They are often set with diamonds and are mounted in gold or platinum settings. Stones can be all the same size or different. As they have a significant meaning they are another popular choice to mark an engagement for those who prefer something different to the solitaire.
- Eternity Ring
An eternity ring is a symbol of lasting affection, typically set with an unbroken circle of gems, usually given by a spouse to his or her other spouse on the occasion of a significant anniversary or when a partner gives birth to a first child. The style of an Eternity Ring can vary although a popular choice is one that is half set in precious gems with the other half a plain gold or platinum band.
- Solitaire Ring
The solitaire is a popular choice as an engagement ring. It can be a large or small single stone, usually a diamond, set in the amount of yellow gold, white gold or platinum. It is worn on the third finger of the left hand for a particular reason as this is the finger that contains the vena amoris – the vein that leads to the heart. While many solitaires are intended as Engagement Rings, if they are given as a symbol of love or celebration, they can be worn on the right hand
- Antique Ring
A ring that has been around for over 100 years, now meticulously preserved for memory and value.
- Band
A ring that is uniform in width, with no obvious “top”, engraved with letters or designs or set with diamonds or gemstones or decorative metalwork costing comparatively lesser than a Wedding and Engagement Ring.
- Birthstone Ring
A ring featuring precious or semi-precious gemstones that are associated with the specific month of a person’s birth. A perfect way to make a ring more meaningful and personalized for its wearer.
- Contemporary Ring
A ring featuring a design that is up-to-date with current and modern day styles in the industry, as against the old vintage classic styles differing in terms of cut, setting, design, or even the choice of materials. Some of the Contemporary Rings Designs would include various styles like the minimalist, glamorous sophisticate, the bohemian hippie, eccentric shapeshifter and trendsetting luminary.
