Rings for the finger : from the earliest known times to the present, with full descriptions of the origin, early making, materials, the archæology, history, for affection, for love, for engagement, for wedding, commemorative, mourning, etc.

A sweeping portrait of the humble finger‑ring unfolds, tracing its journey from the mythic bands of ancient gods to the finely crafted pieces of today’s jewelers. The narrative weaves together archaeology, material science and social history, showing how a simple circle has signified authority, love, mourning, and even secret codes. Richly illustrated with more than two hundred colour plates, the book lets listeners picture each era’s distinctive styles.

Beyond the basics of design, the author explores the deeper currents that have surrounded rings for millennia—superstitions about protective stones, the mystical symbolism prized by poets, and the ceremonial importance of papal and ecclesiastical bands. Sections on Shakespeare’s references and on exotic gems such as turquoise, coral and meteorite reveal how cultural belief and commerce have shaped the craft. The tone remains scholarly yet accessible, inviting curiosity about the objects we often wear without a second thought.

Readers will come away with a vivid sense of how rings have acted as personal talismans, status markers and storytelling devices across civilizations. The blend of factual detail and folklore makes the work a compelling auditory journey through an object that has quietly shaped human history.