Rings are one of the most fun jewelry items to shop for, you can look down at your hand and see it anytime. Rings also have their own messages. They can say love and romance, or they can be your own personal power piece, reminding you to be confident no matter what the situation, and of course rings are also glamorous. The ring you choose to wear may depend upon either your mood or where you’re going. No matter why you’re wearing a ring, they always enhance your hand and add some cool chic to your style. The Jewelers Circle has put together a guide to some of the most popular ring styles to help you decide what glittering jewel suits your style and which one you absolutely must have on your finger and with ten fingers, you can wear a ring on your pinky, your thumb or on any finger in between.
Ballerina Ring
Ballerina rings were very popular during the 1950s and 1960s, when large glamorous rings were worn regularly for evening events. Often worn on the right hand, a Ballerina ring is characterized by a center stone, generally a colored gemstone, surrounded by tapered baguettes that seem to float and swirl like a ballerina’s tutu. From a jewelry making point-of-view, this is a complex style, as the baguettes need to be set tightly together and at slightly different heights to create an undulating effect. Today’s fashion rules are much more relaxed so these showstopping rings may be worn either to the office, to a special event, or anytime you feel like wearing a pop of bling.
Bezel
A bezel setting is one of the oldest setting styles dating back to ancient times, you’ll see quite a number of them in museums around the world that exhibit ancient jewelry from Rome or Greece. Also known as a collet set, a bezel set is a type of setting with a thin metal band that wraps around the girdle of a gemstone or diamond to hold it in place. Once the stone is placed in the setting the metal is then pressed down on the top edges of the stone to hold it securely. Some bezels do not go all the way around the stone, they are called a half-bezel, semi-bezel or open bezel. It’s a very sleek and sophisticated style that has stood the test of time and it’s a good choice if you have an active lifestyle as the bezel protects the gem.
Bombe Ring
Introduced in the early 20th century, bombe comes from the French word for domed, or according to some interpretations, bomb-shaped. A bombe ring features a rounded top dome shape with plump rounded sides that sits high above the finger. This style is sometimes set with a center stone on the top and pavé around the rest of the ring, it can be all pavéd, or it may be precious metal with or without gemstone accents. The earliest edition of bombe rings were made in the Edwardian era of platinum. The style faded out for a short time before re-emerging as a highly coveted design in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, when their modern shape was the cutting edge of fashion.
Gypsy Setting
A favored style of the late Victorian era and into the early 1900s, a gypsy setting features gemstones that are sunken directly in the metal so they are flush with the surface, which is why this type of setting is also called a “Flush Setting”. The metal is then moved around the stone to hold it in place. Gypsy set rings were frequently used as engagement rings during the Victorian era, associating the style with love and commitment. The recessed stones are well protected in this style, making it a good choice for everyday wear. Some gypsy rings have a star pattern around the gemstone, which was thought to bring luck.
Halo Ring
Introduced in the Georgian era and often used as an engagement ring, halo rings, symbolic of eternity and protection, love and commitment, continue to enchant. A halo ring is characterized by a center stone surrounded by a frame of diamonds or other gemstones. If there is a second frame of gems around the center stone, it is called a “double halo”. One benefit of this style is that the halo makes the center stone appear larger. The halo re-emerged in the early aughts and quickly became the go to engagement ring choice due to its big look and vintage feeling. However, halo rings are not just diamonds, you’ll find the style with a colored gemstone center with a diamond halo, or you may find the reverse, a diamond center with a colored gemstone halo, they can also be found with a colored stone center and halo, which are beautiful for daily wear.
Toi et Moi Ring
When Napoleon I proposed to his first wife, Jospehine de Beauharnais, he did so with a toi et moi ring showcasing a pear shaped sapphire and pear shaped diamond, launching the style as a must have for fashionistas of the era. A toi et moi ring has two main stones, it is sometimes called a bypass ring or twin ring, because the two stones “pass” each other. The stones are generally of equal size and are the same shape, but may be two different gems, such as diamond and ruby, or diamond and sapphire. When it was first designed the style used gems of the same shape, but contemporary designers have put a modern spin on the style by using two stones of different shapes. There are many variations of this romantic style that is still desired as an engagement ring, but can also be worn as a special occasion or everyday ring.
Whether you’re looking for a ring for everyday wear, special occasions or even a unique engagement ring, there are plenty of vintage, or vintage inspired styles that are sure to delight and that will fit your personal style.
Top of Page: Diamond, bezel set sapphire and 18-karat gold ring.
Diamond, sapphire and 18-karat gold ballerina ring; Diamond, bezel set sapphire, emerald, ruby and 18-karat gold ring; Diamond and 14-karat gold bombe ring, circa 1960s; Emerald, diamond and 18-karat gold gypsy ring, circa 1970s; Old mine cut center diamond, diamond halo and 18-karat white gold halo ring; Old cut diamond and 18-karat gold toi et moi ring.
Authored by Amber Michelle