Historical and Cultural Inspired Rings
Once FORGE designer Jennifer took an Art History class, she started noticing all the little details, stories, and symbolism behind famous works of art and architecture. She decided to bring some of those ideas into her own work and created a set of 12 rings at FORGE. Her attention to detail and culture is incredible, so read on!
Notre Dame Ring
From the top, this ring may look fairly unsuspecting—but turn it to the side and the details come alive. Inspired by Notre Dame Cathedral, Jennifer incorporated the famous rose window, archways, and even structural elements like the buttresses, which support the cathedral’s walls. Gargoyles add another playful detail, while the three-stone design represents Notre Dame’s three iconic portals, or entryways.
Traditional African Tribal Mask Ring
This straightforward yellow gold ring takes its inspiration from traditional African tribal masks, accented with colorful rubies and emeralds. These masks were often worn by male leaders during ritual dances and were kept in specific huts and watched over by priests when not in use. They weren’t created simply as decoration—they were meant to come alive through movement. Jennifer also incorporated design elements inspired by scarification, which was historically used as a mark of status.
Parthenon Ring
The Parthenon was built as a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. Ancient Greek culture was deeply interested in idealized beauty, and that philosophy carried into their architecture through symmetry, proportion, and balance. Jennifer emphasized the Parthenon’s columns and roof with a two-tone design and added blue and yellow sapphires as a nod to the vibrant colors that were originally painted on the building. The triangular space beneath the roof, called the pediment, also inspired the design. While the actual Parthenon features mythological scenes, Jennifer chose to incorporate laurel motifs—an especially fitting symbol for Athena.
Persian Carpet Inspired Ring
Persian carpet weaving is an inseparable part of Iranian art and culture, and its intricate patterns often draw inspiration from Persian gardens. Jennifer brought that same feeling to this ring. Intricate, nature-inspired designs cover the sides and gallery, with even two tiny birds hidden in the details. Keep your eye out—you might miss them at first! She chose a Swiss blue topaz for the center stone, beautifully complementing the yellow gold in this design.
Egyptian Ring
This was one of Jennifer’s favorite rings to create—and it’s easy to see why. It’s packed with symbolism and tiny details inspired by ancient Egyptian culture. The band features mummies, a scarab beetle representing renewal and rebirth, a cartouche (a nameplate for a person), the Sphinx, an ankh (the key of life), the Egyptian god Horus, as well as the Eye of Horus, wheat representing agriculture, and even the pyramids of Giza. Turquoise, blue sapphires, and red rubies surround the ring, reflecting the vibrant colors associated with ancient Egypt.
Chinese Dragon Ring
In imperial China, the dragon represented power, strength, and good luck — and eventually it became a symbol of the emperor himself. Chinese art often portrays dragons as long, snake-like creatures. Jennifer embraced that tradition by creating a dragon that wraps around the finger. There’s lots to see with this ring: the individual scales, the expression on the dragon’s face, and even its tiny teeth. Wear this ring for extra good luck!
Baroque European Architecture Ring
Baroque architecture is all about drama, detail, and ornamentation, so there’s plenty to discover in this ring. Often inspired by Catholic imagery, Baroque art frequently depicts the Virgin Mary with a halo around her head to distinguish her from other figures. Jennifer recreated that idea and added diamonds to Mary’s halo as a fun nod to light. She also incorporated beading around the ring to symbolize the rosary, traditionally used to guide prayers. In that way, this ring can serve as a beautiful reminder of the prayers you’ve offered and the moments of faith behind them.
Native American-Inspired Ring
Traditional Native American jewelry often incorporated materials like silver and copper. Jennifer designed this version in white and rose gold for durability while preserving the look and feel of those original materials. Silver and copper naturally develop a patina over time, and in many traditions, that aging was part of the beauty—not something to polish away.(For more on silver’s natural patina, read our blog “Why Does Silver Tarnish?”) Jennifer chooses a traditional turquoise center stone, accented by coral and nature-inspired elements, paying tribute to the artistry of Native American jewelers.
Anglo-Saxon Ring
Jennifer looked to her own family history for inspiration, creating a ring based on traditional Anglo-Saxon jewelry. Garnets and intricate knotwork were common features, along with symmetrical and geometric designs. Jennifer even added one tiny personal touch: a small bull, inspired by her own last name.
Islamic Faith Inspired Ring
With five green stones representing the Five Pillars of Islam, this ring incorporates several meaningful symbols from Islamic faith and culture. Green is associated with descriptions of paradise in the Quran. The white diamonds represent purity and peace, while the side of the ring features the crescent and star, an important symbol associated with Islamic culture. Jennifer included arches and other architectural motifs throughout the design, inspired by the beauty of Islamic architecture. Jennifer also discovered that traditionally, Muslim men are not to wear gold—so ladies, this ring’s for you!
Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara Ring
The original Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara was created for Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna of Russia, likely for her wedding. It eventually became part of Queen Elizabeth II’s collection, giving this iconic piece an incredible history. One of Jennifer’s favorite details is that the original tiara’s center stones can be changed. For her ring, Jennifer chose pear-shaped emeralds. She loves the idea that a single piece of jewelry can carry so much history and significance. Ever wanted to feel like a princess? Design your own tiara ring at FORGE.
Traditional Indian Bridal Attire Ring
If you take a quick look at traditional Indian bridal attire, you’ll find an incredible world of intricate threading, beading, and ornamentation. Red and green are especially traditional wedding colors, so Jennifer added that throughout the design of the ring. Instead of a traditional center stone, she created an open ring with offset stones inspired by the nose rings worn by Indian brides. Additionally, henna is applied to the hands, arms, and other areas of the body for weddings. The intricate patterns can take hours to create, leaving behind a beautiful temporary stain. The bottom crosshatched part of the ring is a nod to this pattern and the effort behind it.
Your dream ring doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. Inspiration can come from anywhere, especially when you’re designing a one-of-a-kind piece at FORGE. Bring us your inspiration—whether it’s a favorite piece of architecture, a work of art, your family history, or even a Pinterest board—and let’s turn your inspiration into a ring you’ll love wearing.