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