A Circle of Devotion: The Romantic History of Rings Through the Ages

From the Late Bronze Age to the Roaring 20s, these rings showcase the era’s changing style.

"The Linked Hands of Queen Victoria (1819–1901) and Prince Albert (1819–1861)," circa 1840–1860, by Franz Xaver Winterhalter. Oil on panel. The Royal Collection Trust, UK. Public Domain

Isn’t every engagement and wedding ring a story waiting to be told—of love, of the times, and of the people who wore it? From simple ancient bands to today’s radiant settings, these pieces have done more than dazzle; they reflect the passions, promises, and aesthetics of the eras that shaped them.

Late Bronze Age

Mycenaean signet ring, 16th–15th century B.C., Greece. Gold; 3/4 inches by 1 1/4 inches. Edited and cropped photo by Zde/CC BY-SA 3.0