After spending many years locked away Queen Elizabeth 1 was a woman who loved to be surrounded by many exquisite things and since she loved to embellish herself with outstanding dresses made of beautiful expensive material it only stands to reason that she would also adorn herself with exquisite and unique jewelry that was restricted uniquely to the gentry. Most peasants or lower class could not afford these luxuries as the jewelry of this era was made of the finest precious metals and the most beautiful gemstones available.

Since it was considered a must to emulate the queens fashion style, most upper class women would wear many rings at once and it would have been normal and in fashion to wear many rings at a time on one finger. Rings were worn on the second joint of the finger as well as the first joint by both the middle classes and the upper class. Larger jewels, either cabochon or square-cut, were worn as solitaires; smaller, less expensive stones were set in clusters in bands. Gold bands engraved inside were often worn as wedding rings. Today many wedding bands are engraved inside with such things as a certain date or sometimes little sayings such as (love forever). Men did not usually wear rings but Signet rings worn mostly by nobleman were well-built and skillfully crafted. They were made of gold, and often embossed with semi-precious stones. Some of these signet rings could also be enameled.

Although Queen Elizabeth 1 authentic rings are not affordable and not readily obtainable to the general population today modern jewelry is quite affordable and you can procure for yourself replica Elizabethan jewelry. As women and men still enjoy being surrounded and enjoy wearing attractive jewelry having more than one ring is and always be considered an essential part of any fashion.

Written by: Nicole Cousineau