3 Most Common Types of Rings
Rings are amazing and versatile pieces of jewelry, sometimes with deep and sentimental meanings. They are often given as gifts, especially during pivotal moments in life. There are countless different types of rings, of course… but which are the most common?
This guide will be taking a closer look at three of the most popular types of rings, what they mean, and where the tradition of each type originated from. Read on to learn everything about rings you never knew you needed to know!
A Brief History of Rings
It’s probably no surprise that rings have been around for a while. But it may shock you to learn just how long exactly. In fact, some of the earliest rings date all the way back to 2,500 bc.
Many different ancient civilizations used to wear different types of ring styles. The Romans, ancient Greeks, ancient Indians, and ancient Egyptians are only a few of the cultures that are known to have worn rings.
In ancient times, the finger a person wore a ring on had a symbolic meaning. This is something that’s even true today, especially with the first type of ring on our list: the wedding ring.
1. Wedding Rings
Wedding rings have been traditional for a pair of spouses to wear for the entirety of recent history. So, where did this tradition start? In ancient times, it was believed that the ring finger had a vein directly connected to the heart—and this is why it was worn on this finger by couples.
In the US (and many western countries) the wedding ring finger is traditionally the second finger from the left, on the left hand. But did you know that in many countries—for example Serbia and India—the wedding finger is actually worn on the right hand?
2. Class Rings
A class ring is another super common form of ring that has a storied history. The first known example of a particular school having a class ring is found at West Point Military Academy in 1835. Since then, many more educational institutions—both college and high school level—have also adopted the tradition.
Unlike with a wedding ring, there aren’t too many firm rules about which finger a class ring should be worn on. This guide on how to wear class rings may help if you’re feeling confused.
3. Claddagh Ring
The Claddagh ring is a ring that hails from Ireland, but today, it’s worn by people the world over. It’s named after the small village where it was first created, and you can use it as a sign to potential suitors.
You can wear it on any finger, but it’s the way it’s worn that sends a message. If it’s worn on the left hand with the heart facing down, this is a sign you’re spoken for. If you wear it on your right hand with the heart facing up, this means you’re looking for love.
Different and Unique Types of Rings
Of course, there are hundreds of other different types of rings out there. The above list represents only a few of the most common—and fascinating. If you’re looking for more fun fashion facts, check out the rest of our articles now.
Samantha Gaines wrote this article on behalf of FreeUp. FreeUp is the fastest-growing freelance marketplace in the US. FreeUp only accepts the top 1% of freelance applicants. Click here to get access to the top freelancers in the world.
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