A ring is normally worn by both sexes and is usually made of gold, silver, plastic, wood, glass or any other material. They are circular and designed to fit fingers which are usually set with a gem. Typically, jewelers use a precious or semi-precious stone such as sapphire, emerald, topaz, and the like. Most wearers wear the rings on what is known as the ring finger of the left hand. In Western cultures, the conventional ring finger is the finger between the middle finger and the little finger (little finger).
There are several types of rings. The types depend mainly on the user and its purpose. Some of the descriptions of these rings are summarized so that the reader can easily identify them when visiting other countries with varied cultures and practices. However, some types of rings are so applicable to all that they are not only practiced in one geographic region but also in other parts of the world.
A championship ring is a specially designed ring awarded to members of a winning team or in professional sports leagues and also North American college tournaments. Such rings are used as team awards or souvenirs in football competitions in what spectators would normally see at Superbowl tournaments.
A class ring is made for a batch of graduating students, usually college graduates. The ring is engraved with the seal of the graduating university and the course the wearer completed.
For singles, there is the Claddagh Ring, also known as Irish friendship rings. The person wearing it shows that they are currently free to enter into romantic relationships. A modern version of this is the Single’s Ring which is marketed in Western countries and is slowly being accepted by Eastern countries as well.
Catholics often wear a rosary ring. This ring has a small cross on its surface with 10 notches which represents a complete mystery. So for each mystery prayed with the rosary ring, the wearer must go over the ring five times to finish a full rosary.
For married couples, a wedding ring is worn to indicate that they have entered into a marriage contract. Before this, a man will give his future bride an engagement ring. However, for couples who want to show that they are already in a relationship, they can wear a promise ring which is the opposite of a Claddagh ring. There is also a ring called the Regards ring, which is an engagement ring during the Victorian era. The name Regards is a portmanteau of the gemstones ruby, emerald, garnet, amethyst, ruby, diamond, and sapphire.
In some religious groups, believers may wear purity rings signifying their chastity or purity. An ecclesiastical ring is worn exclusively by religious people who hold high positions such as bishops and popes. For members of royalty, a signet ring is worn on the little finger of the noble class, either on the left or right hand.
These are just some of the rings that one can find over time. Surely there are one or more types of rings that a person will come to own during their lifetime.
