A 

ring is a round band, usually of metal, worn as ornamental jewellery. The term "ring" by itself
always denotes jewellery worn on the finger; when worn as an ornament elsewhere, the body part is
specified within the term, e.g., earrings, neck rings, arm rings, and toe rings. Rings always fit snugly
around or in the part of the body they ornament, so bands worn loosely, like a bracelet, are not rings.
Rings may be made of almost any hard
material: wood, bone, stone, metal, glass, gemstone or plastic. They may be set with gemstones
(diamond, ruby, sapphire or emerald) or with other types of stone or glass.
Although some wear rings as mere ornaments or as conspicuous displays of wealth, rings have
symbolic functions concerning marriage, exceptional achievement, high status or authority,
membership in an organization, and the like. Rings can be made to sport insignia which may be
impressed on a wax seal or outfitted with a small compartment in which to conceal things.
In myth, fable, and fiction, rings are often endowed with spiritual or supernatural significance.

Contents

 1History
o 1.1Ancient India
o 1.2Ancient Near East
o 1.3Archaic and classical Greek
o 1.4Roman Rings
o 1.5High and Late Middle Ages in Europe
 2Ring location
 3Size
 4Styles
o 4.1Notable individual rings
 4.1.1In myth and fiction
 5Safety
 6Other types
 7See also
 8References
 9External links

History[edit]
The parts of a ring: 1) hoop, 2) shoulder, 3) bezel, and 4) stone or gem in setting or mounting

Ancient India[edit]
Rings[1] and other types of jewelry including necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, bangles and
pendants have been discovered from the 3rd millennium BC Indus Valley Civilization. Factories of
small beads have been discovered in Lothal, India.[2]

Ancient Near East[edit]

Finger rings have been found in tombs in Ur dating back to circa 2500 BC.[3] The Hittite
civilization produced rings, including signet rings, only a few of which have been discovered.
[4]
 People in Old Kingdom Egypt wore a variety of finger rings, of which a few examples have been
found, including the famous scarab design.[4] Rings became more common during the
Egyptian Middle Kingdom, containing increasingly complex designs.[4] Egyptians made not only metal
rings but rings from faience, some of which were used as new year gifts.[5] Native styles were
superseded by Greek and Roman fashions during the Ptolemaic dynasty.[4]

Archaic and classical Greek[edit]

Archaic Greek rings were to some extent influenced by Egyptian rings, although they tended to be
less substantial and were not generally used as working signet rings.[6] As gold was not locally
available, rings made in the eastern colonies tended to be made from silver and bronze,
while Etruscans used gold.[6]
The classical period showed a shift away from bronze to a wider adoption of silver and gold. The
most typical design of the period involved a lozenge bezel mounting an intaglio device.[7] Over time,
the bezel moved towards a more circular form.[7]