The first men's rings, according to historians, appeared in Ancient Rome. It was not a simple decoration, but an indicator of the independence and maturity of a young man. A modern man wears a signet on whichever finger he wants, without always thinking about what character traits he reveals in this way.
How to combine jewelry
When I was preparing this article, I asked my husband what he would be interested in reading about, I said that I would give as an example how Johnny Depp combines jewelry. To which the husband, who loves jewelry, said that it is impossible to meet such men on the city streets, that he is unique and jewelry is his specialty. But you can’t talk about men’s jewelry without showing how Jack Sparrow combines them. I believe that it is important to start with one bracelet, you can combine it with a watch, but you need to collect a collection of jewelry gradually, bracelets and rings should have a story.
What types are there?
Modern jewelers successfully combine traditions and the latest technologies in the process of making men's rings. Both classic products and jewelry with original designs are created. The whole variety of men's rings is divided into simple rings and complex ones.
Engagement
A wedding ring is a simple type of product. Even those men who do not like wearing rings consider this ring to be a must-have item. Most of them prefer a product made in a classic style. These types of men's rings are uniform in width, without noticeable elevations, and are worn by married people on the right hand to show that they are married. The ring can be a single gold band or it can be engraved or set with small gemstones.
Signets
Among the main types of jewelry that men like to wear are signet rings. Their purpose was implied in the name - they were used as a seal. There were different types of men's signets: with engraving, with the initials of the owner.
There are many rules for wearing this accessory. For example, in France and some other countries, this ring could only be worn by the head of the family on the ring finger of the left hand, and ordinary people - on the little finger of the left hand or the ring finger of the right hand.
Today, instead of a coat of arms or initials, the signet is decorated with patterns, and there are no mandatory rules for wearing it.
Signet ring with stones
Rings are complex rings; they are more massive and intricate. The ring has an insert in the form of a precious stone. They are often more massive than the average ring size and when looking at a person, they immediately catch the eye and attract attention to themselves.
The presence of rings in a man speaks of a high social status and his authority. At this time, they are worn as a talisman or amulet. Rings that are passed down are of particular importance. The ring can be worn on different fingers.
Expert opinion
Helen Goldman
Male stylist-image maker
Typically, men's signet rings are made of gold, silver or copper and are worn on the index finger.
Jewelry and hats
There was a designer in our team who decided that a hat should be part of his image and always wore a hat indoors, and he also had a ring in his ear. Jewelry pulls together and completes the look in the same way that hats do. A man who wears berets, caps and hats knows why he does it, otherwise there will be no harmony. There doesn’t have to be a lot of jewelry in combination with a headdress; it could be a watch, a hat or beret, or a tie clip.
Orthodox
Let's move from mysticism to religion. Orthodox rings are in demand no less than pectoral crosses. This decoration is necessarily consecrated, which gives it special power. Smooth rings almost never appear on sale. But there are products on which quotes from the Bible, prayer books, etc. are written.
The history of religious rings goes back to time immemorial. With the advent of Christianity, jewelry of this kind began to be worn almost after baptism. In the 17th century religious samples for protection were offered to newlyweds at the wedding. Such products were not sold in shops and jewelry workshops. They were made in monasteries, and the material of the ring could be any. Today it is most often silver with blackening, on which biblical quotes and words of protection are written.
Bracelets and signets
There is no need to think that the classic style does not accept anything other than watches and tie clips. A man, if the dress code allows, can wear not only colored socks with a classic suit, but also baubles paired with an expensive watch.
There is no need to force yourself to wear jewelry if your social environment and hobbies do not require you to complement your look with them. Men's jewelry is about a conscious choice, an impulse of the soul, about long-term and important, and not about what is necessary.
Author: stylist-image maker Elena Khmelevskaya
Photo farfetch.com and mrporter.com
General rules
All jewelry has its own set of “immutable rules.” Even though modern fashion has made such canons illusory and it is not necessary to follow them, they still have the right to exist.
Each ring “sends” its signal
Each educational institution has a ring with its own symbols. The decoration can show the graduate's connection with any hero of history. And this should not be forgotten when putting on a ring.
A large ring made of gold with precious stones in some countries speaks of the owner as a person of considerable wealth. The ring allows you to scan your hand after just a few moments of acquaintance.
Confidence is always needed
Do “extra” rings cause discomfort? Without confidence in the correct choice and wearing, there is no point in wearing an accessory. You should get used to the new ring in advance. Only after getting used to the new sensations can you wear it constantly.
But here, too, it makes sense to initially show the new product only to trusted people, looking at their reaction. And before showing it in public, you should get used to comments addressed to you.
It is advisable to familiarize yourself with the history of decoration in order to be able to answer all questions. It's probably a family heirloom, a gift from vacation. Every product has potential. It is he who is able to act as the initiator of an interesting conversation.
The proportionality of the rings and fingers is important
Massive, large rings look good on large hands. Those with small hands should wear smaller rings to balance their proportions.
Thin fingers benefit from thin rings, while wider ones are preferred by those with fuller fingers.
It is necessary to maintain a balance between the product and other jewelry.
It is pointless and inappropriate to put all existing rings on one hand. Jewelry should be in harmony with other accessories. A watch with a ring on one hand is balanced by a bracelet on the other.
Law of Unity of Materials
There are no hard and fast rules in metal harmony. But to simplify life, it makes sense to follow the rule of choosing one of the metals. All accessories should be worn from the same metal or must be compatible.
If you have no preference between silver and gold, you need to start from your skin tone. Cool, with noticeable blue veins - silver, warm shade without visible wreaths - gold.
The maximum that there is no point in exceeding is three rings. Optimally, you should wear no more than a couple of jewelry. And the main role is given not to quantity, but to the quality of accessories.
Rings have been symbols of wealth, power and upper class status for thousands of years. The accessory has its own history and its own symbolism.
