All That Glitters: The Philippe Harold Ring Style Guide
Welcome to our page all about rings and ring styles. Dating back almost 5,000 years, rings have long been a popular piece of jewellery, that range from simple cocktail rings to the always important engagement and wedding sets. They are worn by both men and women and come in countless designs, making them a versatile accessory.
It is believed that the ancient Egyptians were the first to exchange rings made of leather or woven reeds as a symbol of love and devotion. These early rings were shaped in a circle, just like they are today, since a circle is seen as a powerful symbol. Fast forward to modern times and rings remain a beloved piece of jewellery for many people. From sealing the deal during a wedding ceremony to choosing your birthstone as the centrepiece, there are endless options when it comes to selecting the perfect ring for any and all occasions.
Rings Styles for Commitment and Love
This Promise Ring is given by one partner to another as a symbol of commitment in their relationship. It can mean a promise to be married someday or simply a promise of faithfulness and love. Promise rings are often small and can include motifs like hearts, gemstones or even plain metal bands with meaningful inscriptions.
The Wedding Band was originally created as a simple ring for men to wear to signify that they were married or engaged, wedding bands are now exchanged between both partners during a wedding ceremony. They can be made of various materials like solid metal, plastic resin or rubber and may include gemstones like diamonds embedded in the band.
Bridal Sets usually include an engagement ring along with a matching band that is given later on the wedding day by the new partner. Bridal sets can be purchased together and even soldered together by a jeweller so that both rings remain as one without any debris or tiny particles getting stuck between them. Many bridal sets fit together to form some type of pattern that results in gorgeous rings letting others know that the woman wearing it is married. They may feature solitaire diamond engagement rings with plain bands or more complex designs with larger central diamonds surrounded by smaller ones.
An Engagement Ring is a symbol of love and commitment. It represents the promise between two people to spend the rest of their lives together. The ring is traditionally worn on the left ring finger and will be part of a wedding set in the future. When it comes to choosing an engagement ring, there are many styles and features to choose from, allowing you to create a unique and personal piece of jewellery.
There are four core styles of engagement rings: solitaire, diamond band, halo and trilogy. Each style has its own unique charm and allows for customization with finer details.
The solitaire ring is the most iconic and simplistic style, featuring one single precious gemstone, typically a diamond. The diamond band engagement ring takes inspiration from the solitaire design but adds micro diamonds around the band for added sparkle and intricacy.
The halo ring also features micro diamonds, this time set around the outline of the centre stone, enhancing its size and adding detailing to the design.
The last style of engagement ring is the trilogy ring. Featuring three precious gemstones, usually one larger centre diamond flanked by two slightly smaller stones.
The Anniversary Band is gifted from one spouse to the other to celebrate a wedding anniversary. Traditionally, most people prefer diamond rings but some opt for other stones like turquoise, emerald or jade to be featured in the ring setting. Most anniversary bands come in a channel set which means there are two vertical metal walls that are joined together or a three-stone set with prongs on each side to represent the past, present and the future.
Next, we have the Half Eternity Band which features diamonds or gemstones set 1/3 or 1/2 of the way around the perimeter of the band. The stones are usually set in a channel or prong setting and can be uniform in width or tapered. This type of ring is traditionally given on a wedding anniversary as well.
Moving along to the Eternity Band, this band is uniform in width and set with one or more continuous rows of identically cut gemstones or diamonds that completely surround it. It is usually given on a wedding anniversary as it represents eternal love. Most eternity bands feature round diamonds but other cuts and stones may be used too. This ring makes a great gift for special occasions like an anniversary, birthday or even the birth of a child!
All these types of rings symbolise love and commitment between two people who cherish each other's bond and are committed to each other for life!
Historical Rings
The Claddagh ring is a symbol of love, loyalty, and friendship that originated in Ireland during the mediaeval times. It was traditionally used as an engagement or wedding ring due to its meaningful design. The ring consists of a heart that represents love, a crown for loyalty, and two hands representing friendship. Depending on how it's worn, the Claddagh ring can convey different messages. For instance, if worn on the right hand with the heart facing you, it means you are in a relationship. When worn with the heart facing away from you, it indicates that you are single and looking for love. Wearing the Claddagh ring on your left hand signifies that you are married. The Claddagh rings come in different styles ranging from simple metal bands to those adorned with jewels around the band. These rings make perfect gifts for special occasions such as weddings, anniversaries or birthdays.
Another popular historical ring is the Gimmel Ring which dates back to Elizabethan England. This type of ring was used as a betrothal or engagement ring where each person would wear one link until their wedding day when they would join them together to form a solid circle. The three-link Gimmel Ring involved a witness holding onto the third piece until the wedding ceremony when all three links were joined together.
These rings were known for their interconnecting bands held together with tiny pins that would swivel and align to form a single ring. Both partners would wear separate parts of the ring before joining them after marriage into one complete band.
Antique Rings are beautiful pieces of jewellery that have been around for at least a century, with some dating back to the Victorian, Georgian or Edwardian eras. These rings are known for their unique designs and craftsmanship, making them highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Any ring that has been previously owned and worn by someone else would be referred to as an Estate Rings . While vintage and antique rings fall under the estate ring category, most jewellers will only refer to them as such if they are 30 years old or more. Reproduction rings can also be classified as estate rings, so it is always best to ask us for details on a ring's history before purchasing it. Estate rings can include fine or costume jewellery from any time period.
Similar to antique jewellery, in that they have been previously owned and worn by others in the past, are Vintage rings. However, to qualify as a vintage ring, the piece must be between 30 and 100 years old. Currently, rings that were popular in the 1920s are approaching the 100 year mark and therefore considered vintage. Vintage rings come in various styles and designs depending on the era they were made in, making them a fascinating piece of history that you can wear on your finger.
Rings for Every Mood and Occasion
A great way to personalise your jewellery collection is with Birthstone Rings. These rings feature a metal band with a stone representing the birth month of the wearer or their loved ones. With twelve stones to choose from, each representing a different month of the year, these rings make for thoughtful and sentimental gifts. Whether you prefer the deep red garnet of January or the stunning opal for October, there is literally a birthstone for everyone.
Traditionally seen as men's rings, Nugget rings are becoming increasingly popular across all genders. Made from yellow gold, these rings boast a rough, rocky texture on top which imitates the look of the metal in its raw precious state. While some nugget rings may feature diamonds or other gemstones, they are generally simple in design. Couples from Alaska and parts of Canada also use nugget rings as engagement, wedding or anniversary bands due to the significance of gold mining in their culture.
Mood Rings offer a playful option when it comes to jewellery. These rings contain liquid crystal in their centre that changes colour based on the temperature of the wearer's finger, supposedly reflecting their mood at that moment. They come in various styles ranging from simple bands to those featuring stones or engravings, making them both unique and charming accessories. Whether you are feeling happy, sad or somewhere in between, mood rings allow you to express your emotions through your jewellery in an entertaining way.
Boasting clean lines and delicate curves Contemporary Rings have a sleek design making them more minimalistic than other ring designs. They can feature stones such as diamonds or rubies and wrap around the finger although the two ends do not meet. Contemporary Rings can form part of intricate designs or be simplistic depending on what you prefer. It’s no surprise that this ring style is very popular amongst younger people today as it features up-to-date styles that align with current industry trends. What makes a ring contemporary can be its cut, setting design or even choice of materials used to craft it such as palladium or titanium instead of traditional 18k yellow gold or silver materials typically used for jewellery fashioning out traditional designs like prong settings etc..
Make a Statement
A Mothers Ring is a beautiful and meaningful gift that celebrates the love between a mother and her children. It typically features the birthstones of her children or grandchildren, representing the special bond she shares with them. The stones can be set into one band or multiple stackable bands and some designs even include names engraved beside each birthstone. This unique piece of jewellery is cherished by many mothers, grandmothers and caregivers all around the world, especially on Mother's Day.
If you are looking for an elegant and timeless piece of jewellery, a Cluster Ring might be just what you need. This type of ring features a main stone in the centre, usually a diamond, surrounded by smaller versions of the same stone. In the past, ruby or emerald were popular choices for the centre stone, but nowadays diamonds have taken over as the preferred option. Cluster rings can also feature multiple diamonds or gemstones fashioned together in one setting to create a dazzling brilliant effect.
The Cocktail Ring is all about making a statement with your jewellery. It originated in the 1930s as an accessory worn to cocktail parties and has since become synonymous with glamour and sophistication. These rings boast large colourful imitation gems and smaller faux diamonds that are meant to look lavish and overdone. During the prohibition era at the beginning of the 20th century, cocktail rings were symbols of wealth and power. Today they are still worn for special occasions to add some extra sparkle to any outfit.
A Side Stone Ring is perfect for those who want more sparkle than that of a solitaire ring. It boasts one single stone set in the centre with several smaller stones down each side of the band area creating an elegant design that sparkles brilliantly from every angle. The stones can match the centre stone or be different if you prefer something more unique.
If you already have a gemstone that you love but no setting to showcase it in, then consider getting a Semi-Mount Ring! This type of ring has accent stones but no main stone yet so you get to choose which gemstone will be featured in it! With so many designs available on this type of ring, finding one that suits your style should not be difficult at all!
Stack, Band and Signet Rings: The Beauty of Ring Styles
Band Bings are a popular choice for jewellery enthusiasts who prefer a simple yet elegant look. These rings come in different variations, from plain metal to engraved designs and stones that represent the wearer's passions in life. Bands can be made of gold, silver, titanium, or even plastic resin for an artistic style. Silicone and rubber bands are also available for those who want something more comfortable to wear.
Stacking Rings, also known as "stackers," offer a fun way to add some more personality to your jewellery collection. These rings feature several thin bands that you can stack up on each other to create a wider ring. Mix and match with other stacking rings for a unique and bold style statement. They are popular among everyone from everywhere across all ages, but especially with teenagers. You are welcome for that last piece of information!
Signet Rings were originally created as an option for people who couldn't read or write well enough to sign important documents. Over time, they have become a status symbol for wealthy individuals due to their sense of style. Signet rings typically feature metal bands with the wearer's initials engraved on the flat top part of the ring. Sometimes called "seal" rings, they may also feature specific designs or letters beyond just initials.
