Ring (finger)

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Ring (finger)

A finger ring is a band worn as a type of ornamental jewellery

Jewellery

Jewellery is an item of personal adornment, such as a necklace, ring , brooch or bracelet, that is worn by a person. It may be made from gemstones or precious metals, but may be from any other material, and may be appreciated because of geometric or other patterns, or meaningful symbols....
around a finger; it is the most common current meaning of the word ring. Other types of metal bands worn as ornaments are also called rings, such as arm ring

Arm ring

An arm ring, also known as an armlet or an armband, is a band of metal, usually a precious metal, worn as an ornament around the biceps of the upper arm....
s and neck rings

Torc

A torc, also spelled torq or torque, is a rigid piece of personal adornment made from twisted metal. It can be worn as an arm ring, a circular neck ring, or a necklace that is open-ended at the front....
.

Rings are worn by both men and women and can be of any quality. Rings can be made of metal

Metal

In chemistry, a metal is a chemical element whose atoms readily lose electrons to form positive ions , and form metallic bonds between other metal atoms and ionic bonds between nonmetal atoms....
, plastic

Plastic

Plastic is the general common term for a wide range of synthetic or semisynthetic organic chemistry solid materials suitable for the manufacture of industrial products....
, wood

Wood

Wood is an organic material; in the strict sense wood is produced as secondary xylem in the stems of woody plants, notably trees but also shrubs, etc....
, bone

Bone

Bones are rigid organ that form part of the endoskeleton of vertebrates. They function to move, support, and protect the various organs of the body, produce red blood cell and white blood cells and store minerals....
, glass

Glass

Glass generally refers to a Hardness, brittle, transparency amorphous solid, such as that used for windows, many Glass Bottles, or eyewear, including, but not limited to, soda-lime glass, borosilicate glass, acrylic glass, sugar glass, Muscovite , or aluminium oxynitride....
, gemstone

Gemstone

A gemstone or gem, also called a precious or semi-precious stone, is a piece of attractive mineral, which — when cut and polished — is used to make jewellery or other adornments....
such as ruby, sapphire or emerald, but can also be of almost any material.

a class="link1" onMouseover='showByLink("m5724581",this)' onMouseout='hide("m5724581")'href="http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Western_culture">Western culture

Western culture

File:Clash of Civilizations map.pngWestern culture are terms which are used to refer to cultures of European origin. This terminology originated as a way of describing what was different about the Graeco-Roman culture and its descendants, in contrast to the older neighboring civilizations of the Middle East, which in many ways continued...
, the traditional "ring finger

Ring finger

The ring finger is the fourth digit of the human hand, and the second most ulnar finger, located between the middle finger and the little finger....
" for the wearing of an engagement ring

Engagement ring

In Western tradition, an engagement ring is a jewelry ring worn by a woman indicating her engagement to be marriage. In some countries, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, it is worn on the left-hand ring finger, while in other countries, such as Poland and Ukraine, it is customary for the ring to be worn on the right-hand....
or wedding ring

Wedding ring

A wedding ring or wedding band consists of a metal Finger ring, generally on either the left or right ring finger. In certain countries it is worn on the base of the left ring finger....
is the fourth finger (with the thumb counting as finger number one).

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Encyclopedia

A finger ring is a band worn as a type of ornamental jewellery

Jewellery

Arm ring

An arm ring, also known as an armlet or an armband, is a band of metal, usually a precious metal, worn as an ornament around the biceps of the upper arm....
s and neck rings

Torc

Metal

Plastic

Plastic is the general common term for a wide range of synthetic or semisynthetic organic chemistry solid materials suitable for the manufacture of industrial products....
, wood

Wood

Wood is an organic material; in the strict sense wood is produced as secondary xylem in the stems of woody plants, notably trees but also shrubs, etc....
, bone

Bone

Glass

Gemstone

Types of rings

Finger rings

In Western culture

Western culture

Ring finger

The ring finger is the fourth digit of the human hand, and the second most ulnar finger, located between the middle finger and the little finger....
" for the wearing of an engagement ring

Engagement ring

Wedding ring

Poland

Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe. Poland is bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian Enclave and exclave, to the north....
, Germany

Germany

Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a country in Central Europe. It is bordered to the north by the North Sea, Denmark, and the Baltic Sea; to the east by Poland and the Czech Republic; to the south by Austria and Switzerland; and to the west by France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands....
and Norway

Norway

Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a constitutional monarchy in Northern Europe that occupies the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula....
) 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.

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 around 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.

Toe rings

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

Other types

Ring	Usage
Aqiq ring	A carnelian Carnelian Carnelian is a reddish-brown mineral which is commonly used as a semi-precious gemstone. Similar to carnelian is sard, which is generally harder and darker.... or Agate ring worn by some Muslims, especially Shi'ah, in imitation of Muhammad Muhammad Muhammad Patronymic#Arabic Abd Allah ibn Abd al Muttalib , is the founder of the Major religious groups of Islam and is regarded by Muslims as a Rasul and prophet of , the last and the greatest law-bearer in a series of prophets.... and the twelve Imams Twelve Imams The Twelve Imams are the spiritual and political successors to Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam, in the Twelver or Ithna-?ashariyyah branch of Shia Islam Islam.... .
Championship Ring Championship ring A championship ring is a ring presented to members of winning teams in professional sports leagues, and in college tournaments in North America....	A ring presented to members of winning teams in professional business leagues as well as college tournaments in North America.
Claddagh Ring Claddagh Ring The Claddagh ring is a traditional Ireland ring given in friendship ring or worn as a wedding ring. The design and customs associated with it originated in the Irish fishing village of Claddagh, located just outside the old walls of the city of Galway....	An Irish Ireland Ireland is the List of islands by area in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world. It lies to the north-west of continental Europe and is surrounded by hundreds of islands and islet.... friendship ring. It is traditionally used to indicate the state of romantic availability.
Class ring Class ring A class ring is a jewellery worn by students and alumni to commemorate their graduation, generally for a high school, college, or university....	Worn by students and alumni in commemoration of their graduation.
Dinner ring Dinner ring A dinner ring or cocktail ring is a large oversized Finger ring, setwith Precious stone or semiprecious stones. Cocktail rings became popular during the 1940s and 1950s....	An oversized ring, set with non-precious or semiprecious stones.
Ecclesiastical ring Ecclesiastical ring An ecclesiastical ring is a finger ring worn by a clergyman, such as a Bishop's ring....	A ring worn by clerics and other religious persons, notably a Bishop's ring worn by an (arch)bishop of the Roman Catholic, Anglican and other Christian churches.
Engagement ring Engagement ring In Western tradition, an engagement ring is a jewelry ring worn by a woman indicating her engagement to be marriage. In some countries, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, it is worn on the left-hand ring finger, while in other countries, such as Poland and Ukraine, it is customary for the ring to be worn on the right-hand....	A traditional ring worn by a woman to indicate her engagement to be married.
Engineer's Ring Engineer's Ring The Engineer's Ring is a ring worn by members of the Order of the Engineer. The ring is a plain stainless steel band worn on the little finger of the working hand....	A ring worn by engineers on the pinky finger of their working hand to remind them of their ethical obligations.
Eternity ring	A ring symbolising eternity with a partner.
Finger Armor Ring Finger armor ring A finger armor ring is a piece of jewelry worn on the finger. Typically it spans from the base of the finger to just below the nail or middle of the second joint and includes a bending joint....	Typically it spans from the base of the finger to just below the nail or middle of the second joint and includes a bending joint.
Gimmal ring Gimmal ring A gimmal ring, or gimmel ring, is a ring with two or three hoops or links that fit together to form one complete ring. The name gimmal comes from Latin gemellus, twin, via Old French....	Ring made of 2 or 3 linking hoops, popular for betrothals in 16th and 17th century Europe
Magic ring Magic ring A magic ring is an article of jewelry that appears frequently in fantasy and fairytale. They are found in the folklore of every country where ring-wearing is known....	A fictitious ornament that appears frequently in fantasy stories and fairy tales.
Mood ring Mood ring A mood ring is a ring which contains a thermochromism element, such as liquid crystal. The ring changes color in response to the body temperature of its wearer....	A novelty ring which changes color in response to body temperature, using a thermochromic liquid crystal.
Mother's Ring Mother's ring A Mother's ring is a type of memorial jewelry. It's a ring which has a birthstone for each of the children of a woman, both living and dead childen....	A ring worn by a mother displaying the birthstone of each of her children, and sometimes including those of the mother and father.
Mourning ring Mourning ring A mourning ring is a finger ring worn in memory of someone who has died. It often bears the name and date of death of the person, and possibly an image of them, or a motto....	A ring worn in memory of someone who has died.
Multi-Finger ring	Two or more conjoined rings, designed to be worn across two, three, or four fingers; popularized by hip-hop culture.
Pinky Ring Pinky Ring A pinky ring is a ring worn on the pinky finger. Pinky rings are not gender-specific, and are commonly found on both men and women. Often there is no special significance associated with wearing a pinky ring, other than the typical motivations for wearing jewellery....	A ring worn on the pinky finger.
Posie Ring Posie ring Posie rings are finger rings with short inscriptions on their outer surfaces. More rarely the inscription is on the inner surface.A posey ring or love ring, is a simple gold band engraved with a brief...	A ring with a short inscription on its outer surface.
Pre-engagement ring	A small, inexpensive ring given to a partner, to promise not to court a rival.
Promise ring Promise ring A pre-engagement ring is a ring given to a Significant other to signify a commitment to a monogamy, often as a precursor to an engagement ring....	A ring worn to remind oneself of a promise one has made.
Purity ring Purity ring Purity rings originated in the United States in the 1990s among Christian affiliated sexual abstinence groups. The rings are sold to adolescents, or to parents so that the rings may be given to their adolescent children as gifts....	A symbol of virginity in some religious cultures.
Puzzle ring Puzzle ring A traditional puzzle ring is a type of finger ring made up of four, six, eight, or twelve interconnected rings. Contemporary designs include rings of three, five or seven bands....	Interlocking rings forming a single band; difficult to reassemble if removed from the finger.
Poison ring Poison ring A poison ring or pillbox ring is a type of ring with a container under the bezel or inside the bezel itself that could be used to hold poison or another substance.... or Pillbox ring	A Ring consisting of a pillbox fitted into the ring, either for keeping medication or poison Poison In the context of biology, poisons are Chemical substance that can cause disturbances to organisms, usually by chemical reaction or other activity on the molecular scale, when a sufficient quantity is absorbed by an organism.... .
Regards ring Regards ring A regards ring was a Victorian era engagement ring in which the initials of the precious stones mounted on the band spelled out the word "regards" in an implicit acrostic: Ruby, Emerald, Garnet, Amethyst, Ruby, Diamond, Sapphire....	A Victorian engagement ring with an implicit acrostic: Ruby, Emerald, Garnet, Amethyst, Ruby, Diamond, Sapphire.
Rosary ring	A rosary ring is a ring worn around the finger with 10 indentations and a cross on the surface, representing one decade of a rosary. The rings are used to keep track of place in the prayer by rotating the ring on a finger and feeling the marks.
Signet ring	An emblematic, often familial, ring, often bearing a coat of arms, fit for use to imprint a wax seal Seal (device) A seal can mean a wax seal bearing an impressed figure, or an embossed figure in paper, with the purpose of authenticating a document, but the term can also mean any device for making such impressions or embossments, essentially being a Molding that has the mirror image of the figure in counter-relief, such as mounted on rings known a... on documents etc.
Sovereign ring Sovereign ring A sovereign ring is a Ring which typically has a gold sovereign as a primary decorative feature, with the obverse face as the visible detail....	A typically large, gold ring, set with a gold sovereign as its decorative feature.
Story of O Story of O *Story of O* is an erotic novel published in 1954 about dominance and submission by France author Anne Desclos under the pseudonym Pauline R?age.... ring	A ring inspired by the "Story of O", Pauline Reage's novel, in which the heroine, "The O" is presented with such a ring as a symbol of her submission.
Thumb ring	This largest of finger rings is worn on the thumb primarily for fashion, but is also worn as a symbol of will power or internal energy, sexuality, and other beliefs or attitudes.
Watch ring	A small analogue or digital watch to be worn around a finger.
Wedding ring Wedding ring A wedding ring or wedding band consists of a metal Finger ring, generally on either the left or right ring finger. In certain countries it is worn on the base of the left ring finger....	A ring presented in many marriage ceremonies to signify marital commitment. Originally worn only by the woman, it is now common for both spouses to wear such a ring.

Notable individual rings

The bearer of the Iffland-Ring
Iffland-Ring

File:A W Iffland.jpgThe Iffland-Ring is a diamond-studded finger ring with the picture of August Wilhelm Iffland .The bearer of the Iffland-Ring disposes the ring by will to someone whom he regards as the most significant German-speaking actor....
disposes the ring by will to someone whom he regards as the most significant German-speaking actor.
Hans-Reinhart-Ring
Hans-Reinhart-Ring

The Hans-Reinhart-Ring is a prestigious Switzerland award in theatre.Following a grant by the poet and patron Hans Reinhart , the ring honors a noted personality in the field....
The Ring of the Fisherman
Ring of the Fisherman

The Ring of the Fisherman, also known as the Piscatory Ring, Annulus Piscatoris and the Pescatorio , is an official part of the Papal regalia and insignia worn by the Pope, who is described by the Catholic Church as the Apostolic Succession of Saint Peter, who was a fisherman by trade....
, the signet
Signet

Signet may refer to:* Seal #Signet_rings, a ring with a seal set into it, typically by leaving an impression in sealing wax* Signet Books, an imprint of the New American Library...
ring of the Pope
Pope

The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church and head of state of Vatican City. The current pope is Pope Benedict XVI, who was elected April 19, 2005 in Papal conclave, 2005....
.
The One Ring
One Ring

The One Ring is an Artifact that appears as the pivotal plot element in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth Tolkien's legendarium. It is described in an earlier story, The Hobbit , as a magic ring of invisibility....
, one of the fictional Rings of Power
Rings of Power

The Rings of Power are fictional artifact of J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium. They are first described early in The Lord of the Rings in a rhyme of lore told to Frodo Baggins by Gandalf:...
that a hobbit
Hobbit

In J. R. R. Tolkien's Tolkien's legendarium, Hobbits are a diminutive race that inhabit the lands of Middle-earth. Known as "Halflings" to most and "Periannath" by the Elves, the word "Hobbit" is derived from the name "Holbytlan" which means "hole-dwellers" in the tongue of the Rohirrim ....
Frodo Baggins
Frodo Baggins

Frodo Baggins is a fictional character in Tolkien's legendarium.He is a principal protagonist of Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. He is also mentioned in The Silmarillion....
had to take to Mount Doom in J. R. R. Tolkien
J. R. R. Tolkien

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, Order of the British Empire was an English people English literature, poetry, Philology, and university professor, best known as the author of the classic high fantasy works The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion....
's fantasy novel The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings

The Lord of the Rings is an Epic poetry high fantasy novel written by Philology J.R.R. Tolkien. The story began as a sequel to Tolkien's earlier, less complex children's fantasy novel The Hobbit , but eventually developed into a much larger work....
.

Ring (finger)

Types of rings

Finger rings

Finger ring shapes and styles

Toe rings

Other types

Notable individual rings

See also

External links