Today most people wear rings - more specifically finger rings - just as a form of ornament. But in more ancient times they had a greater significance. In days gone by some rings were believed to contain magical powers (talismanic rings) and yet others were rings of deep personal significance from which one would be classified in society

In earliest Egypt, rings signified the authority of a person. These rings were the forerunners of what we now term signet rings and they had carved scarabs or imprinted hieroglyphs. The Greeks on the other hand wore golden bands mostly with carved stone or other forms of engraving. The early Romans decreed the wearing of rings by law - during earlier times iron rings were worn by everybody whom were freeborn and top ranking citizens were allowed to wear gold rings under the early empire. Later on the freeborn citizens wore gold rings, slaves that were freed wore silver and all slaves wore iron rings.

The wearing of wedding rings came in as early as the Roman times - matrons wore wedding rings to indicate their authority in the household. Early Christians also wore signet rings. During the Middle Ages bishops obtain a ring as a part of the ceremony of consecration and Popes traditionally received the Fisherman’s ring. This latter ring is a signet ring that contains a symbol which represents Saint Peter in a fishing boat with the name of the Pope around it. This ring is used by the Pope to attest his Papal briefs and is then destroyed when he dies. Kings are also usually given a ring during their coronation. Not until the 16th century was it that the wearing of rings became popular, usually with a set of jewels. Rings of all types including signet rings are, of course,still worn today.

Engagement rings have also been given since ancient times but not until the 15th century was it that they were made with diamonds. This is similar for wedding rings - the gold bands only came later during the 16th century. In America today married women wear both their engagement ring and wedding band while married men often wear just their wedding band.

Nowadays many signet rings are made for graduating students. They contain an engraved logo of their degree or profession and as such they are called a graduation rings. Some also have a ring made for their organization or fraternity. Some doctors have their own rings given to them after they receive their license to practice. There are rings that are very popular for kids - some even come free in their cereal boxes! Mood rings tend to change their color depending on the mood of the wearer and special decoder rings that decodes secret messages on a letter it comes with are also examples of ring varieties.

There are lots of other designs that would surely fit everybody’s taste. Whatever the type, style or reason, the wearing of rings is still popular to this day.