Pinky Rings: A Modern Jewellery Trend Rooted in History
We often hear that necessity is the mother of invention. This is particularly true in fashion, and even more than one might think in fine jewellery. For instance, let’s take the pinky ring. This piece of jewellery to grace the little finger was not originally created for accessorising purposes. Here, we explain more about this small but mighty jewel…
The origins of the pinky ring date can be traced back to 3,500 BC in Mesopotamia (now Iraq, Kuwait, Turkey and Syria), where illiterate businessmen wore a personalised seal around their necks to help them authorise and approve important documents. Eventually, the Ancient Egyptians adopted this signature system, improving on it by turning the pendants into rings for easy access. More practical than fashionable, these small ‘signet rings’ became integral parts of the day-to-day ongoings in society. Fast forward to the Middle Ages, with silversmithing and stone carving advancements, signet rings became a symbol of wealth among the more affluent members of society. They would have their rings set with precious gemstones to further demonstrate their wealth and social status.
Brent Neale gold, multi-coloured sapphires and emerald Eye Heart U Rainbow Pave Signet ring
Annoushka one of a kind gold, diamond and andalusite ring
Anita Ko gold, emerald and diamond Pave Snake Coil ring
Alexandra Abramczyk gold, multicoloured-sapphires, topaz and tsavorite Bauge Soft Grand Modèle ring
Cece Jewellery gold, enamel and diamond Pisces Signet ring
Darius Jewels gold, pink sapphire and diamond ding
Deborah Pagani gold and pink sapphire Honey Heart Gypsy
Harwell Godfrey gold, multi-coloured sapphires, topaz, amethyst and diamond Chubby Talisman ring
lily Gabriella gold, tourmaline and diamond Wave ring
LYLIE gold Shield Engraved Signet ring
Model wearing Noor Fares gold, carnelian, yellow sapphire, amethyst, brown diamond, orange enamel and black rhodium Svadhisthana ring, ammolite, ruby, black enamel and gold Muladhara Pinky Ring
Mateo gold, sapphire and diamond ring
Venyx World gold, coloured stones and diamonds Moonshell and Star Ring
Olivia Burton rose gold, tourmaline and jewel-toned crystals Jewel Rainbow ring
Ouroboros gold and rainbow moonstone Horizontal Oval Rainbling ring
XOIA gold, diamond and gemsonte Pinnacle ring
Retrouvai gold, malachite, sapphire and diamond Compass ring
Tabayer gold and diamond ring
Thomas Sabo gold vermeil and coloured gemstone ring
ZEEMOU ZENG gold, amethyst and diamond Eye Cocktail ring
Chris Pine wearing a pinky ring
Harry Styles a pinky ring
Bruno Mars wearing a pinky ring
Nick Jonas wearing a pinky ring
Roxanne First gold and diamond rings
Chanel white and yellow gold Coco Crush rings
Carbon & Hyde gold and diamond Marquis Bling rings
Tiffany & Co. gold Signet ring
Boodles white gold, rose gold and diamond ring
Pomellato white gold, topaz and diamond Nudo Classic Petit ring
Melissa Kaye gold and diamond ring
Margot McKinney high jewellery ring
Misk gold and diamond Signet rings
Glenn Spiro gold and diamond Pebble Ring
Foundrae gold and ruby Forever and Always a Pair ring
Theo Fennell gold and carnelian dignet Ring
Nour by Jahan diamond and ruby ring
Carbon & Hyde white gold and diamond Bling Pinky ring
Ashley Zhang Pinky Belcher ring
Ashley Zhang gold, diamond and ruby ring
Ashley Zhang gold and opal ring
WORDS
Katerina Perez With more than 12 years’ experience in the jewellery sector, Katerina Perez’s expert knowledge spans everything from retail sales and management to content creation, including brand building, jewellery writing and styling. Born and raised in St Petersburg, Katerina’s favourite hobby as a child was playing with the treasures in her grandmother's jewellery box, inspiring a lifelong love of jewellery from a very early age. She spent five years in St Petersburg University of Culture and Arts studying not journalism but business studies and languages, and her writing skills have developed as her passion for her favourite subject – jewellery – has grown. This is why her writing comes straight from the heart rather than the pages of a book. Daughter of an entrepreneur mother, Katerina exchanged her retail management job for jewellery writing in 2013 and hasn’t looked back since.
Related Articles
Designer Gifts: The Latest Men’s Jewellery for the Label Lover in Your Life
2024 has been the year that men's jewellery really got into its stride, shedding its traditional image, embracing innovation, and emerging as a bold and brilliant category in its own right.
Latest Stories
Add articles and images to your favourites. Just
Jeweller of the Month:MADLY Gems
Singaporean brand celebrates 10-year anniversary
Jewels Katerina Perez Loves
Continue Reading
Ask Katerina:Diamond Jewellery Styling Tips for Modern Dressing
Here are some of the answers I gave during the presentation to aid your jewellery dressing…
Brand Focus:Van Cleef & Arpels
Jewellery Insights straight to your inbox
Style Guide
