History of Rings

Rings were in common use even in ancient Biblical cultures and among the Anglo-Saxons. Rings were often attributed with superstitious powers and have been used extensively throughout the history of the world.

Rings are mentioned in connection with signets in the Holy Scriptures, and date, therefore, from the most remote times. The Egyptians had various representations engraved on their rings, the most common of which was the scaraboeus, or beetle, the symbol of the world. Etruscan rings were frequently of rare beauty, and of great value. The Greeks and Romans were remarkable for their fondness for rings, which were worn in profusion, enriched with precious stones, and engraved with exquisite taste. Rings were in common use among the Anglo-Saxons, those of King Ethelwulf, the father of Alfred the Great, and his daughter Aethelswith in the British Museum, are fine specimens of the goldsmith's art at this period. It was in the Middle Ages, however, that the manufacture of rings attained the highest perfection in our country. Superstitious virtues were ascribed to rings from very early periods, and still prevail with some vitality in Eastern countries, and, in many cases, throughout Europe. They have been, and are still, used in religious and secular investiture, betrothments and weddings, for posies and mottoes, as memorials of the dead, and no article of decoration has been so extensively and prodigally used in most ages and countries. (source : http://www.jjkent.com/articles/rings-jewels-history.htm)