Looking for a way to show your belonging to Christianity? Put on a cross pendant. All believers do this, why don’t you add such an accessory to your image? You think there is nothing special about wearing the cross or crucifix on your chest? No problem, the jewelry industry offers a myriad of options, from bracelets to rings featuring crosses. Speaking of that, we would like to suggest a few unique cross rings that felicitously combine religious references with impeccable style.
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Cross Spinner Ring
At first glance, these rings are no different from regular infinity bands. Their surface is adorned with repeating or alternating symbols or inlays. However, such rings hold a secret. In fact, they are made up of two circles that freely rotate around each other. If you enjoy fiddling with something in your hands, a ring like this can be that something. According to those who have chosen spinner rings as their everyday accessory, they are excellent stress relief.
The beauty of spinner rings is that you can hide your beloved symbol from the prying eyes. Just give it a spin so that the cross appears on the inside of your palm. Alternatively, you may choose a piece dotted with crosses if you’d like to showcase your belonging to the Christian community.
Bishop Rings
Once bishop rings were a prerogative of the Catholic clergy. Today, everyone is able to benefit from this design. The most prominent feature of Bishop rings is their size. They are made intentionally large and heavy as befits attributes of the highest ranks of the clergy. It goes without saying that Bishop rings are made of precious metals, mostly gold, although some pieces may be crafted from gold.
Original bishop rings are made to order within the church. They are given during the ceremony of bishop ordination. Bishop rings are the property of the church; if a bishop resigns or passes away, his ring returns to the bosom of the church. Along with that, bishops may order custom-made rings to wear every day, whereas their official rings are kept for solemn ceremonies only. In his personal ring, a bishop may use any symbols, but most commonly, those are his initials and religious imagery.
Besides a larger-than-life size, bishop rings are known for huge amethyst stones in their very heart. Amethyst is perhaps the most Catholic gemstone. It symbolizes humility and purity, more precisely, the purity of the soul. According to Catholic traditions, only bishops can wear jewelry embellished with amethysts.
When it comes to costume jewelry, bishop rings may feature any stone, precious or not. Still, they tend to pay tribute to catholic traditions and display the purple jewel. Besides a single gemstone design, bishop rings may have a cluster of smaller stones or a halo around the center stone. “Where are crosses in this design?” you may ask. The cross (or a couple of crosses) typically sits on the shank. Alternatively, some rings offer cross detailing comprised of gemstone inlays as a focal point.
Signet Rings
Signets have a shape dictated by their initial function. They were originally used as a tool to seal correspondence in hot wax. Their flat bezel featured family crests, a person’s initials, or other identifying inscriptions. Today, signets no longer seal documents but their classic design featuring a flat head is still in use. Since they don’t need to leave an impression in hot wax, a bezel style may come with whatever symbol whether it is engraved or embossed. Why not get the cross as a symbol adorning your signet ring?
Signet rings are considered classic men’s jewelry due to their chunky shape and respectable weight. Having said that, women can flaunt signets as well because they have a soft spot for eye-catching jewelry. When it comes to crosses, they may adorn the focal point, i.e. the bezel, or remain rather discreet due to sitting on the band.
Gothic Rings
Gothic rings are not about a particular design. Rather, they convey a certain style and a collection of symbols, and crosses are one of the most common symbols of Gothic. This style originated in the Middle Ages as a response to the need to erect magnificent cathedrals glorifying God. Those Cathedrals were sumptuous, lavishly decorated, but somewhat morose and oppressive. The Gothic style borrowed all these features.
Gothic cross rings are normally made of silver or any other metal of a cold color. Since silver is prone to blackening, this technique is used to add expressiveness to recessed parts. In other words, if cross designs are engraved, they are oftentimes complemented with blackening. Vice versa, raised detailing is typically smooth and shiny. Besides polishing and blackening, Gothic cross rings provide encrusting or enameling, and the color scheme tends to be cold. The only hot color Gothic accepts is red. A combination of inlays of varying sizes and colors often emulates stained glass.
