Once only seen in American films and TV shows as a rite of passage for US high school and college graduates, class rings and college rings are now making their way to Irish shores. But where did they originate, what do they stand for, and are there any traditions around how they should be worn?
In this post, we take a brief look at answering these questions, as well as providing the history and traditions of these popular rings.
Firstly, what are Class Rings and College Rings?
Traditionally, class rings are gold rings worn by students to commemorate their final academic year and/or their graduation.
These class rings are usually customised according to the specific class and year of graduation. This customisation however is not just in terms of what’s engraved or stamped on the ring – it’s also about the material the ring is made from, the style, and even the cut and colour of the accompanying gemstone.
Previously only prevalent in US and Canadian high schools, colleges, and universities, these rings are now making their way into Irish schools and universities thanks to the popularly of US films and TV shows with their Irish audiences.
Depending on whether the graduation is from a secondary school or a university, these rings can be referred to as class rings, college rings, or simply grad (graduation) rings.
Where do Class Rings come from?
Of course, the simple answer of where class rings come from is the USA, though the exact circumstances are particularly interesting.
Dating back to 1835, class rings owe their origins to the ‘United States Military Academy’ – an academy specialised in the training and education of US army officers – in West Point, New York.
That year, cadets were each given a class ring at graduation to symbolise their unity and as a reminder of the values they’d learned during their time at the academy. This tradition quickly spread and over time became common practice at all major high schools and universities in the USA.
How should Class Rings be worn?
According to the ‘Complete Book of Etiquette’ by American author Amy Vanderbilt, there are specific traditions around how a class ring should be worn.
One of the key ones is that while the student is still studying, the ring must be worn facing the wearer – this is done as a way of keeping the goal of graduation in mind. Then, on the day of their graduation, students turn their rings around to face outward – showing that they have graduated and are now ready for the next chapter in their lives.
Where can I buy Class Rings in Ireland?
Although class rings and college rings are rising in popularity here in Ireland, it can be difficult to find suitable ring options from trustworthy sellers based inside the country. As well as that, it can often be risky buying a class or college ring online due to their highly customised nature.
To help make things easier for Irish customers, at Martin Gear Jewellers we sell class rings and college rings directly from our Dublin city centre store.
Feel free to check out our range of class ring options here.
On top of that, as jewellery manufacturers with decades of experience, we can also easily create a custom class ring that reflects the tradition of your school, college, or university in your own personal style.
For more information simply give us a call on (01) 872 8726, alternatively drop into our store on 5 Mary Street, Dublin City Centre.