Ring (jewellery)

A finger ring is a band worn as a type of ornamental jewellery around a finger; it is the most common current meaning of the word "". Other types of metal bands worn as ornaments are also called "rings", such as arm rings and neck rings.

Rings are worn by both men and women and can be of any quality. Rings can be made of metal, plastic, wood, bone, glass, gemstone and other materials. They may be set with a "stone" of some sort, which is often a precious or semi-precious gemstone such as ruby, sapphire or emerald, but can also be of almost any material.

Types of rings

Finger rings

In Western culture, the traditional "ring finger" for the wearing of an engagement ring or wedding ring is the fourth finger (with the thumb counting as finger number one). Which hand wears the ring depends on the country, with orthodox countries (but also Poland) using the right hand and others using the left hand. The signet ring, a ring designating nobility, is commonly worn on the little (fifth) finger. In traditional Hausa culture (Nigerian) a ring given to a woman by a man other than her husband places her under his control for as long as she consents to wear it.

Ring Symbolism [http://www.jewelersdesign.com/-styles]

The Symbolism of Rings

Rings are circles. In all cultures the circle is a symbol of unity and eternity, encompassing all. In early cultures, rings were considered magical or sacred through their association with the sun, moon and gods, thus giving protection to the wearer by binding one with power and energy.Some of the magical mythology of ancient times still influences how and why we wear rings. Kings, priests and healers wore rings on the index finger because that finger was thought to be especially powerful. Medicines were applied to the body with the index finger to give speed and power to their effect. Even today, wearers of healing gemstones wear the rings on the index finger to take the best advantage of the curing energies.

The strongest magical tradition that still holds fast today is the one about the third or ring finger. The ring finger was thought to contain a nerve that went directly to the heart. Wearing a wedding or engagement ring on the ring finger still symbolizes the binding commitment and union of hearts.

The Meaning of Fingers When Wearing Rings

Right Hand vs. Left HandIn the dual nature of man, the right and left hands are part of his whole being yet represent his twofold conscious and subconscious mind. The left hand (the subconscious) is a reflection of his deeply buried instinct, beliefs and attitudes. The right hand (the conscious) reflects his logic and his awareness. Wearing rings on your left hand could symbolize your unknowing wish to strengthen the powers associated with the finger that wears the ring. Rings on the right hand reflect your desire to control your life and actions.

The Thumb: Will PowerThe thumb represents the self. Set apart from other fingers but working in unison with them to give strength to the hand that the others cannot, the thumb symbolized our self in our world. It is associated with logic and will power which govern our actions. Rings on the thumb symbolize freedom and independence of thought and action.

The Index Finger: Authority & AmbitionThis finger reflects our need to enhance our ego. The forefinger, throughout history, has represented authority and power. It is associated with leadership and ambition. Kings, priests and healers wore rings on the index finger because that finger was thought to be especially powerful. Nowadays, people wear rings on the index finger as a display of assertiveness, or power.

The Middle Finger: Identity & MaterialismThe middle finger is associated with our role in life. Being in the center of the hand, it symbolizes personal identity and those things that are at central to our world. Those wearing rings on the middle fingers are well balanced yet wish to be at the center of attention.

The Ring Finger: Emotion & CreativityThe third finger is associated with affections because it is the one with a direct connection to the heart. It also represents our creativity and artistic self. A wedding or engagement ring on this finger proclaims to the world that the wearer’s emotions and creative goals are committed to the giver of the ring. If the ring is acquired by the wearer instead of a mate, it symbolizes self worth and a commitment to one’s personal skills and talents.

Little Finger: RelationshipsThe little finger is at the opposite end from the thumb. While the thumb symbolizes the inner self, the little finger is associated with others outside of ourselves. It sits on the outside of our hands, facing the world. It is the relationship finger, expressing our attitudes towards other people, sex, and the material world. Rings on the little finger represent confidence and independence in personal and business relationships. Rings here can also express a person’s attitude about sexuality and how appealing they consider themselves to be.

Finger ring shapes and styles

Various ring shapes and styles exist. The following are but a few.

* Flat wedding bands are the simplest form of ring that can be made. A flat wedding band basically consists of a strip of metal that is bent around and soldered where the ends meet.
* Half-round rings, also called D-shape rings, are flat wedding bands that are filed half-round on the outside.
* Sleeve rings are rings that consist of a thin inner ring or sleeve, with several other rings stacked onto it to form one solid ring. The rings can either be soldered onto the sleeve or the ends of the sleeve can be upset (like a tube rivet) to keep them all together. A little of both can also be done.
* Solitaire rings are rings with a single large stone, usually a diamond, set in the center.
* Eternity rings are rings with stones, usually diamonds, of the same cut and size, set in one row all around the ring. The stones are usually round or square, and the setting is usually either claws or a channel setting. When the stones do not continue around the entire ring, but stop halfway down the finger, it is called a half-eternity ring.
* Cluster rings are rings with a group of stones in a cluster setting, forming the focal point of the ring. The cluster setting usually consists of one large stone (usually round or oval) in the center surrounded with several smaller stones. [ [http://www.fetter-and-three.co.za/Finger_rings.html Finger rings ] ]

Toe rings

Toe rings are smaller rings worn on any of the toes.

Other types

Notable individual rings

* The bearer of the Iffland-Ring disposes the ring by will to someone who he regards as the most significant German-speaking actor.
* Hans-Reinhart-Ring
* The Ring of the Fisherman, the signet ring of the Pope.
* The One Ring, one of the fictional Rings of Power that a hobbit Frodo Baggins had to take to Mount Doom in J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy novel "The Lord of the Rings".

ee also

*Ring (disambiguation)
*ring finger
*Iron Ring
*arm ring
*torc, or neck ring
*bangle

References

http://www.jewelersdesign.com/-styles

External links

* [http://ringoblog Ring Blog] - RingOBlog covers interesting rings.
* cite web |publisher= Victoria and Albert Museum
url= http://www.vam.ac.uk/vastatic/microsites/design-a-ring/
title= Ring
work=Fashion, Jewellery & Accessories
accessdate= 2008-07-01

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