Monday, April 18, 2011

What Does Your Ring Say about You?

By Ann Daniels


Rings being worn or designed with symbolism behind them is nothing new. Rings can be traditional or modern in style, but either way they can express something meaningful to the wearer as well as the giver.

Previously, rings were worn to differentiate between classes or identify families. This custom can still seen today with the popularity of class rings, signet rings with monogrammed initials, membership rings to an organization, and rings that show success in different types of competition. Others wear rings to express their interest in the mythology behind their birthstone. A modern twist on the time-honored birthstone ring is the mother's ring. The mother's ring holds the different precious or semi-precious gemstones that are associated with the birth month of each child.

Friendship rings, engagement rings, and wedding bands are also widely recognized symbols of love and the celebration of interpersonal relationships. The claddagh ring, which bears the Irish symbol of love, loyalty, and friendship, is a popular ring throughout the world. It can serve as a friendship ring, an engagement ring, or a wedding band. The hand on which the ring is worn as well as which way the heart points indicates the wearer's relationship status. It is impressive what one can learn simply by observing a piece of jewelry.

Wedding rings in particular have lasted and gained in popularity over time, evolving and diversifying to suit many cultures, eras, and available materials. These days, one might choose any ring from the most classic plain gold band to a modern, unique tungsten wedding band. There's even the option of combining the two in a tungsten carbide ring featuring a gold inlay center.

With the addition of different materials, such as tungsten carbide, titanium, or platinum, it is no surprise that men's wedding bands, which became popular only about 70 years ago, have remained and even become more so. This is another example of continuing a newer tradition of jewelry in more and more modern ways.




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