A comprehensive survey traces the development and cultural roles of finger rings from antiquity to the early twentieth century, combining archaeological description, historical uses, and typologies. Chapters treat signet and official rings, ecclesiastical and ceremonial rings, betrothal and wedding customs, talismanic and healing rings, and memorial and celebrity examples; specialized sections examine folklore, birth-stones, astrological attributions, and contributions by Indigenous and regional artisans. The book also outlines period and modern manufacturing techniques and offers numerous visual examples and inscriptions to illustrate materials, form, ornament, and social meaning.