Men’s Chevalier ring: history and significance of the ring of the moment
Chevalier ring
He is the jewel of the moment: the Chevalier ring for men. Born in the 16th century as a symbol of power, for some years now the precious has also made its way into the hearts of influencers and bloggers. And today it has finally arrived on the finger of ‘ordinary mortals’, including men.
The Chevalier ring was used in antiquity by royal families as an initialing tool on letters and documents. It was sufficient to press it directly onto sealing wax to imprint the family seal. A jewel that was once only worn by nobles and princes, it has become much more accessible over the years.
Rappers, celebrities (and not), footballers and fashion designers. Today, to see a chevalier ring you don’t need to frequent the upper middle class. One simply has to take the metro or walk through the streets of the center of big cities.
The history of the Chevalier ring
The Chevalier ring originated in Mesopotamia as a symbol of noble distinction. Those who wore it were telling the world that they belonged to the royal class. Knights wore it from the day of their investiture until their death, and legend has it that when they drew their last breath, the ring too was destroyed along with its owner.
In modern times, the meaning of this ring has definitely changed; today it is no longer used to emphasize belonging to a lineage. Those who wear this ring do so to define their identity or to be associated with a particular brand, no longer to demonstrate their power to the world.
How to wear the Chevalier ring?
The Chevalier ring for men is designed to be worn on the little finger. And this choice is not casual, as it takes into account the size of the jewel. Since it is an important and often massive ring, wearing it on the little finger is less uncomfortable. With the advent of modern times, the wearing of this ring has changed, with many men now preferring to wear it on the middle finger, just like any other ring. Women, on the other hand, are much more faithful to the classic wearing on the little finger.
As for the material used, in ancient times, the Chevalier ring for men was made of faience, a highly prized glassy material used in the East. Alternatively, simple yellow gold was used.
Today the materials have also changed, in fact it is not difficult to find men’s Chevalier rings in silver, red gold or made with semi-precious stones. We can also find several men’s chevalier rings in steel or other modern stones.
Chevalier ring as genderless accessory
The Chevalier ring originated as a man’s ring, but over the years it has increasingly established itself as a genderless accessory also appreciated by the fairer sex. Today we often see it on the finger of models, influencers and showgirls, not only worn by footballers and sports champions.
Today, the Chevalier ring is considered one of the trendiest accessories for both men and women, and although it is no longer the symbol of nobility it once was, we cannot help but be enchanted by its charm.
From Winston Churchill to Prince Charles
A small curiosity about this ring. Legend has it that Sir Winston Churchill used it to make a groove in the armrest of his armchair. But the British politician was not the only one to succumb to the Chevalier’s charms.
Frank Sinatra, Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Steve McQueen also wore it often. Returning instead to the present day, today we can admire it on the royal finger of Charles of England. The Prince of Wales wears a 180-year-old model that belonged to Edward VIII. We can state without hesitation that this type of ring is among the most beloved jewels of English royalty.
Whether knights or footballers matters little, the Chevalier ring remains one of the jewels with the most important symbolic value in the history of goldsmithing.