Rings have been an integral part of human culture for thousands of years. Pinpointing the exact origins of the ancient finger ring is complex and not an easy task to undertake, yet many of the world’s most ancient civilisations have been found to make heavy use of such decorative rings. The ancient Anatolian civilisation of the Hittite Empire, dating back to 1600 BC, is one such example, and in this instance rings saw use as a symbol of authority or heritage; especially in the form of practical signet rings.  The first consistent peak of Egyptian civilisation in the 3rd millennium BC, known as the Old Kingdom, has also been found to make use of rings, including purely decorative pieces displaying the famous scarab motif.
Rings in Ancient Egypt became ever more common and more intricate during the later years of their tenure, and some specific varieties, made from a quartz ceramic known as faience, have even been identified to celebrate the New Year. As the incoming Ptolemaic dynasty in 305 BC popularised Greek and Roman styles, these latter designs became more prevalent on a widespread basis. Less substantial than the Egyptian ring designs, and lacking their practical functions, rings began to be made from a comprehensive assortment of materials, including bronze, silver and gold. A particular favourite of the Classical period proved to be a silver or gold band with a ‘lozenge’ setting that housed a gem engraved with a carved design or portrait.
Finger rings eventually settled into the almost ubiquitous circular form that we are familiar with today, just as the fourth finger of (usually) the left hand has become the accustomed location for a wedding ring. This tradition can be reliably traced all the way back to luminaries of the ancient Roman and Egyptian worlds, who believed that this finger was directly connected by a vein or nerve to the heart; although the actual practice itself was only established relatively recently in comparison. Rings are, of course, still a fixture in modern day society, and they have now evolved into consummately varied objects.
At Banks Lyon, we specialise in supplying luxury jewellery from a huge range of celebrated brand names, including the uniquely varied visual statements that are Andrew Geoghegan rings, the instantly recognisable outlines of Fope rings, with their proud Italian heritage, and the smoothly contemporary craftsmanship of Georg Jensen rings. Â Additionally, we also stock a huge range of gorgeous centrepiece jewellery that is unaffiliated to any particular brand name, but that is exceptionally capable of stealing the heart nonetheless. The stunning oval sapphire ring that can be viewed in the picture above is a primary case in point, as the VVS2 clarity of the deep blue sapphire at the centre of the band ably attests.
This particular ring exudes an unmatched feminine charm, conforming to a floral appearance that stems from eight smaller sapphires that encircle the central gemstone, and then a further eight diamonds that playfully dance within this boundary. With the whole form encompassed by a glittering scatter of 0.64 carat diamonds, the concluding vision is undeniably breathtaking. This 18ct White Gold 2.99ct Sapphire and Diamond Cluster Ring is on sale today for 36 monthly payments of £98.56 alongside a 20% deposit, although our finance calculator also allows you to customise these amounts to suit your specific requirements.
We have been stocking high quality jewellery since our store first came into being in the 19th century, and this stunning spectacle in sapphire is a fine example of our trade. Furthermore, we can also offer professional bespoke jewellery design that allows you to redesign a piece of jewellery to conform to your own ideals, or even fashion a one-of-a-kind piece from scratch. With such a range of choice, you can always been certain to find the optimum jewellery piece for you here at Banks Lyon, so feel free to call us on 01524 38 48 58 to discuss your enquiry.
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