Rings are used for various purposes, but their traditional purpose has been to connect two hands or to indicate a connection between two people. Sometimes, rings may also be used to indicate affiliation with organized religions or political groups. Regardless of their original purpose, rings have come a long way in terms of aesthetics, design, material, and meaning.
A ring is generally a circular band, typically of precious metal, worn as decorative jewelry on the fourth finger of the left hand. The word “ring” itself denotes jewelry worn around the finger; however, when worn on another body part, the hand’s body part is defined within the word, e.g. earrings, finger rings, wrist rings, ankle rings, toe rings, and neck rings. Ring sizes range from one to four, with “diamond” being the stone most prized by the majority of buyers.
Wearing a ring on any finger can give you many benefits. Because the rings are worn closer to the skin, they tend to create less friction and irritation around the finger, resulting in less likely skin damage and less likely the formation of calluses or other rough patches. Wearing rings on the right hand also has many psychological benefits; it allows a woman more control over her movement and body language, which is why some women wear rings even when they are not married.
Historically, rings were worn primarily as jewelry, but they became more decorative over time. During the Middle Ages, they became even more decorative as jewelery. In fact, during this time, printmaking became so popular that it was considered a prestigious art form. Early rings used precious metals such as gold, silver, copper, and occasionally gold itself. They were often very heavy, which increased their weight even further.
Rings have continued to change and grow in style throughout the centuries. While the traditional metals of silver, gold, copper and occasionally titanium remain popular, new materials have been developed to replace them. Traditional rings are usually made of at least two precious metals, although in recent years, many rings are made of cheaper metals that are just as elegant, such as wood, plastic or even leather.
A ring can come in many different styles and designs. It may be simple and circular, or it may be made to accent your fingers. There are even rings available for men. With so many styles and designs to choose from, it should be no trouble finding a ring that is perfect for your finger and is the right size and design for your tastes and personality.