| ewelry has been used by men and women for | | | | family crests, with some of the more common |
| wealth storage and for personal adornment for | | | | devices being a hand or arm holding a weapon, a |
| tens of thousands of years. A prime example is | | | | lion, a horse, a dragon, or an eagle's or other bird's |
| the family crest ring. | | | | wings. Each of the components of a family |
| Family Crest Rings have a very long | | | | crest has a specific meaning, and together they |
| history:Jewelry has been used by men and | | | | tell a story about the progenitor of that family |
| women for wealth storage and for personal | | | | and his deeds. No matter which elements are |
| adornment for tens of thousands of years. | | | | used in the design of family crests, they are |
| Heraldic jewelry, such as the family crest ring, has | | | | always symbolic,stylistic and stunning.Family Crest |
| roots squarely grounded hundreds of years ago, | | | | Rings Can Be Useful As Well As Beautiful:Although |
| in the Middle Ages. In those long-ago times, | | | | the need to identify themselves by wearing |
| several specific types of heraldic jewelry were | | | | family crest rings has long past, many individuals |
| designed for practical reasons as well as for their | | | | even today wear family crest rings as a means |
| beauty. A prime example is the family crest | | | | of symbolically linking to their family history and |
| ring.During the Middle Ages, family crest rings | | | | heritage. In countries where the noble class still |
| were beautiful pieces of jewelry that were used | | | | exists, family crest rings can also be a status |
| by members of the nobility to identify themselves | | | | symbol - they serve as an instant identifier of the |
| as lords of the manor. Family crest rings can still | | | | wearer's level in society. Even today, a fine family |
| be used to signify family membership, although | | | | crest ring is a uniquely appropriate giftfor a man |
| now they are also used as a decorative fashion | | | | or woman of high accomplishment or high social |
| accessory.Designs Used in Family Crest Rings:The | | | | status.Family crest rings are often made of |
| surface of the top of a family crest ring is | | | | precious metals such as gold, silver or platinum. |
| engraved with a graphic, heraldic device called a | | | | The arresting appearance of high-quality pieces, |
| family crest. Some people use the term "family | | | | with their intricately engraved detail, captivates |
| crest" interchangeably with the heraldic terms | | | | anyone who sees one. Their visual appeal can be |
| "coat-of-arms" or "family shield." But technically, | | | | enhanced even more if they are enameled with |
| a family crest is only one component in the design | | | | vivid colors or set with precious gemstones.Family |
| of a coat-of -arms, usually the uppermost portion | | | | crest rings have become extremely popular |
| that stands on top of an armor helmet that is | | | | because of their attractive designs and the family |
| depicted in the coat-of-arms. The | | | | history that they signify. The pageantry and the |
| stylizedrepresentations which we now think of as | | | | magnificence of the Medieval world are quickly |
| being family crests originated as displays sitting | | | | brought to mind by these beautiful rings with their |
| atop actual armored helmets worn by knights | | | | highly stylized, intricate designs.History and |
| during Medieval battles andtournaments.A variety | | | | heritage, perfectly and beautifully symbolized by |
| of patterns, colors and devices may be used in | | | | family crest rings. |