Gem and Jewelry Library/

Ring Types and Styles

ANNIVERSARY BAND

anniversary-band-traditional-ring-styles.webp A ring where diamonds or gemstones are set 1/3 or 1/2 of the way around the perimeter of the band. The stones are usually set in a channel or a prong setting. The band itself can be uniform in width or it can be tapered. This type of ring is traditionally given on a wedding anniversary.

ANTIQUE RING

ring-style-antique.webp A ring that has been around for over 100 years.

BAND

wedding-band-different-ring-styles.webp A ring that is uniform in width, with no obvious "top"". It may be engraved with letters or designs or set with diamonds or gemstones."

BIRTHSTONE RING

birthstone-ring-style.webp 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.

BRIDAL SET

traditinal-bridal-set-rings.webp A set of rings worn by a married woman on her left ring finger that includes an engagement ring and a wedding band. They are usually worn stacked together and complement each other in style.

CLADDAGH RING

claddagh-ring-style-popular.webp A traditional Irish / Celtic ring design featuring two hands holding a crowned heart. The hands represent friendship, the heart represents love, and the crown represents loyalty. If worn on the right hand with the heart facing you, it means you have found your love and are in a relationship. Wearing the claddagh ring with the heart facing away from you symbolizes that you are single and looking for a relationship, and wearing the claddagh ring on your left hand means that you have found your love are are married. Many Irish women wear the claddagh ring as an engagement ring, wedding ring, or a symbol of their Irish heritage.

CLUSTER RING

cluster-ring-ring-styles.webp Multiple diamonds or gemstones of various sizes fashioned together in one setting, or a ring containing a central, main gemstone with numerous smaller stones accenting it.

COCKTAIL RING

cocktail-ring-jewelry-history-styles.webp Also known as a cluster ringï¾ and a dinnerï¾ ring, it is a large, dramatic ring that rises considerably off the finger. It originated in the 1930's, when it was worn to cocktail parties. It is usually set with many large, colored imitation gems and smaller faux diamonds, and is meant to look lavish and overdone.

CONTEMPORARY RING

ring-style-contemporary.webp A ring featuring a design that is up-to-date with current styles in the industry. What makes a ring contemporary can be its cut, its setting, its design, or even the choice of materials its crafted from. For example, a ring with a princess (square) cut gemstone is a more contemporary cut than a classic round cut gemstone. A ring mounted in an illusion setting or a tension setting is a more contemporary choice than a classic prong style setting. Rings made out of newer materials, such as palladium or titanium would also classify as contemporary rings, as opposed to jewelry fashioned out of traditional 18k yellow gold or silver. In terms of design, a contemporary ring may feature a clean, minimalist design over an ornate, flashy design characteristic of an earlier era.

ENGAGEMENT RING

engagement-ring-style-tanzanite.webp A ring traditionally given to a woman by her fianc�e as a symbol of his commitment to marry. It is worn on the left ring finger. It is usually set with a diamond icondiamond, although other gemstones have become popular as well, such as a sapphire iconsapphire engagement ring presented to Kate Middleton from her fianc�e, Prince William, which formerly belonged to the late Princess Diana.

ESTATE RING

estate-ring-antique-ring-styles.webp A ring that was previously owned, usually part of a deceased person's estate. It is not necessarily antique and may include fine or costume rings from any time period.

ETERNITY BAND

eternity-band-styles-of-rings.webp A band that is uniform in width and set with one or more continuous rows of identically cut gemstones or diamonds. The stones completely surround the band and are usually prong or channel set. It is usually given from a husband to his wife on their wedding anniversary.

FANCY WEDDING BAND

fancy-wedding-bands-ring-styles.webp A wedding band with more ornamental style than a simple, traditional precious metal band. Examples include bands with gemstones or engravings.

FASHION RING

fasion-ring-jewelry-styles.webp A type of ring worn to solely express one's fashion style rather than to signify an important event such as an engagement (with an engagement ring), a wedding (with a wedding ring), a graduation (with a class ring), or commitment (with a promise ring).

FLEXIBLE RING

A floppy, bendable ring made out of links of metal.

GIMMEL RING

A ring popular in the 16th and 17th century in Western Europe that was used as an engagement/wedding ring. It involved a series of interconnecting bands held together with a tiny pin. The bands would swivel and align to form a single ring. Both the man and his fianc� would wear the two separate parts of the ring, and after the wedding, the woman would wear both parts of the ring as one. Sometimes, Gimmel rings were exchanged between two men, symbolizing friendship. Gimmel rings were rarely set with gemstones, and today those remain the most valuable.

KEY RING

ring-styles-key-ring.webp A metal ring designed to hold keys together.

HALO RING

A ring featuring a central diamond icondiamond or gemstone framed by many smaller diamonds or gemstones. The tiny gems surrounding the center stone make it appear larger and more radiant by bringing one's attention to it.

NUGGET RING

nugget-ring-traditional-ring-style-men.webp Usually worn by men, these rings are designed to imitate and exaggerate the look of a raw chunk of precious metal, usually yellow gold. The metal constitutes a rough, rocky texture on the surface of a gold band, but sometimes a nugget ring may be set with gemstones. Nowadays, a more feminine, smaller version of a nugget ring is becoming more common among women. Couples from Alaska and parts of Canada sometimes use nugget rings as engagement/wedding/anniversary rings, since the gold mining industry in that area is such a large part of their culture.

ONION RING

styles-of-rings-onion-ring.webp A deep fried delicacy featuring a slice of raw onion which has been coated with batter. Onion rings are a popular (and arguably more delicious) alternative to french fries. Read more about the delicious history of onion rings..."

POSY RING

(Posie, Poesy) A gold ring engraved with an inscription or a verse on its inner surface. The quotations were originally in Norman French and later in French, Latin, and English. Those rings were exchanged between lovers from 15th to 17th century in England and France.

PROMISE RING

traditional-promise-ring-double-heart.webp A small ring used to indicate commitment to a monogamous relationship. It may or may not be a precursor to an engagement ring. Identical or complementary promise rings may also be exchanged between friends as a symbol of their everlasting friendship, or it may be a symbol of a religious or a personal commitment to adhere to certain rules or principles. Traditional promise rings may include such motifs as hearts, double hearts, heart-shaped gemstones, or claddagh rings. A poesy ring or a plain metal band with a meaningful inscription may also serve as a promise ring.

PUZZLE RING

Several interconnected hoops that fit together in a manner that make them appear as one single ring. Puzzle rings originated in the 17th century in England, Germany, Italy and other countries, and are still popular today.

SEMI-MOUNT RING

Any engagement ring setting that is set with side stones but no main center stone, as it is yet to be chosen.

SIGNET RING

signet-traditional-ring-style.webp May also be called a "seal"" ring. A ring engraved with letters or one's initials. It may also feature a specific design. A college ring is an example of a signet ring."

SOLITAIRE RING

traditional-solitaire-ring-style.webp A ring designed to hold a single diamond icondiamond or gemstone. For example, a Tiffany setting is a common setting designed for a solitaire diamond ring, popularized by Tiffany & Co.

SPINNER RING

A ring with two bands, one comprises the base and the other acts as a spinning insert. It may be decorated with an intricate pattern or feature engravings.

STACK RING(S)

Stack rings or "stackers"" feature two or more bands that are meant to be worn together on the same finger. They can be identical or set with different stones, and their size may vary as well, as long as they look appealing stacked together."

VINTAGE RING

different-style-ring-vintage.webp A pre-owned ring that has been crafted between 1920-1980, and is now making a comeback in style. It differs from an Antique ring, which would be a ring crafted over a 100 years ago.

WEDDING BAND

traditional-wedding-band-ring.webp A ring that is uniform in width, with no discernible "top"", worn by married men and women on their left ring finger to signify that they are married. The ring may be a single gold band or can be engraved or set with gemstones. (See Fancy Wedding Band)"

3-STONE RING

traditional-three-stone-ring-style.webp A ring featuring three larger stones which may symbolize past, present, and future. The three stones may be of different gemstones, colors, shapes, and sizes, but they do need to complement each other and usually offer some degree of symmetry. It is a popular option for engagement and/or anniversary ring. A 3-stone ring can also be a great way to represent three children in a family, or can carry a religious connotation of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. The possibilities for a 3-stone ring are endless, as well as countless variations in its design.

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