The pinky ring is, without a doubt, the most popular ring for men to wear – well, next to a wedding ring, of course.
What is a pinky ring, how did they come about, the different types, and how to wear them – we cover all these fun and interesting tidbits in one in-depth article.
What is a Pinky Ring?
In technical terms, a pinky ring is a ring you wear on your little finger, otherwise called the “pinky”. This can either me on your left or right hand. In practical terms, men’s pinky rings are typically smaller than other kinds of rings – this is deliberate so that the ring fits appropriately on the pinky and appears proportional compared to the rest of the hand.
Pinky rings for men are available in many different kinds of styles, including those which integrate a lovely mix of stones and metals, something we’ll be covering later in the article.
If you’re considering getting a men’s pinky ring then you’d be delighted to know that they match easily with a complete range of outfits, and so, are very popular in contemporary menswear.
History: How did Pinky Rings come about?
As anyone might guess, ‘pinky’ rings get the term from the common name used to describe the smallest finger on the hand: the pinky.
But have you ever wondered about the origins of this quirky and unique name?
‘Pinky’ is derived from the Dutch word pink. It’s a diminutive form which translates to “little finger”. Eventually, this nomenclature started spreading to Germany, then Britain, and gradually the rest of the Anglophonic world, as we know it.
Let’s delve into how pinky rings have been worn throughout history.
It’s no secret that men have worn all kinds of finger rings for centuries, and they did so not just as a status symbol but also as a convenient way to keep their portable wealth close at hand (no purses or wallets back then, you see!).
Modern men in the Western world tend to wear a single ring – two, perhaps, at the most – on just a few fingers, although historically, men have worn as many rings as they could on each finger. The pinky finger, it seems, remained a favoured ring spot throughout the ages.
Pinky Rings during the Roman Empire
Pinky rings have been worn throughout Antiquity by various civilizations although the Romans particularly stand out as they are most likely the finest example when it comes to the underlying purpose and meaning of the pinky ring.
Pliny the Elder, for instance, a naturalist and philosopher from the 1st century AD, wrote an insightful treatise on how the world functions (Naturalis Historia), where he touched upon the traditions and conventions of the Roman race.
Pliny referenced the fact that pinky rings were frequently worn by Roman nobles as a subtle yet clear and present status symbol. It would appear that the decision to intentionally wear a ring on the little finger was a ‘status flex’, so to speak. The key implication being that the wearer was rather content wearing a humble ring on the smallest finger, and did so with the assumption that he owned considerably larger, finer, and more expensive things – but did not bother to wear or show them off. Interesting!
And so, the pinky ring served as a subtle hint to onlookers that despite having great wealth, the wearer felt absolutely no need to show off his status or the fact that he could afford many of life’s luxuries.
Medieval and Early Modern Period Men’s Pinky Rings
All throughout the Middle Ages and especially the Renaissance, men would generously wear rings on most of their fingers, not just to showcase their riches but also to indicate their rank in office, which was actually one of the most common practical use of a ring. The pinky ring ultimately became the most popular finger to showcase such rings, because the ring wasn’t very likely to get scuffed, scratched, or damaged during day-to-day wear, as the pinky is far removed from the more active fingers.
Interestingly, during the 18th century, and especially in England, concerns grew around propriety & sumptuary law, which saw the use of ubiquitous men’s jewellery decline. Pinky rings though remained an exception as they were so popular that, in many cases, were the only ring type men continued to wear in the Western and Anglophonic world.
Men’s Pinky Rings in the Victorian Era
With the Victorian Era beginning in the 18th century, pinky rings became a regular feature in the attire of aristocratic English men, who would commonly wear a pinky ring on their left hand as a signet or family crest ring. Worn with this intent, the rings showcased the gentlemen’s noble family heritage, getting passed down from one generation to the next as treasured heirlooms.
During the same period, the German tradition of men sporting wedding bands on their left pinky finger found its way to England. Interestingly, the trend was adopted by both married men and those who had no plans to tie the knot – in both cases, wearing a pinky finger indicated that the wearer was, in fact, not actively searching for a potential spouse.
Men in the Victorian Era would often avoid wearing too many rings on all fingers, instead, often stacking two pinky rings (typically a signet ring and wedding band) on their left pinky. The tradition was very zealously taken up by the British royals, soon spreading uncontrollably to North America.
Queen Victoria’s offspring were among the first adopters of wearing rings on their pinky, a style which the queen herself was famously known for, and something which has been a royal tradition since. The Duke of Albany, Prince Leopold, was well-known for wearing a vast collection of pinky rings.
Men’s pinky rings were also worn by Edward VII (Queen Victoria’s heir), whose heir, in turn, (George V), also fancied pinky rings. Unsurprisingly, both his sons, Edward VIII and George VI, also wore pinky rings.
Did you know that Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, wore his father’s signet ring until he was well into his 50s? And then, King Charles III, while still Prince of Wales, wore the official title signet ring which is more than 170 years old, and worn by multiple future kings of England.
Pinky Rings during the Golden Age of Men’s Fashion
The 20th century saw a new approach to men’s clothing and fashion. Garments became less about the traditional associations they were known for and more about personal style. The same applied to pinky rings at the time as men increasingly started to wear them, not only to keep in line with well-established conventions but also to showcase their personal style and fashion sense.
Throughout the 20th century, pinky rings were a common sight across the European Continent, proliferating into major cultural and artistic centres, such as Paris; during the Jazz Age, they became synonymous with the modern spirit of self-expression.
In America, a number of well-to-do folks adhered to the British tradition of wearing their signets on the left hand pinky. In fact, pinky rings were commonly seen on the hands of famous actors and personalities from the era, including the 32nd U.S. President, Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Men’s Pinky Rings at Present
Moving forward from the Golden Age of menswear and fashion, pinky rings have continued to fall in and out of en vogue. But in general, the pinky ring has remained a part of men’s style and fashion, one way or another, remaining fairly consistently popular, if not overly popular.
This is why the pinky ring today is considered one of the most common types of men’s jewellery, associated with iconic style trends, celebrities, and even ‘famous men’ throughout history, such as mafia bosses and crime heads!
Different Types of Pinky Rings
Some of the most common type of men’s pinky rings include:
Signet Ring
The signet ring was originally and historically used to keep a seal – i.e., to allow the wearer to seal important documents in order to prevent tampering. Today, however, signet rings depict everything from a dynastic crest and insignia to initials, a monogram or coat-of-arms, being one of the most common types of men’s pinky rings in existence today.
Professional Ring
Professional rings, as the name suggests, are worn to mark an association with a specific profession or trade, such as the team rings that NFL football players wear, for example. The Iron Ring of Canada is another fine example. This ring type is also associated with engineering and other manual endeavours as it is less likely to impede one from performing the day-to-day tasks associated with their respective job.
Class Ring
A class ring is associated with a specific high school or higher learning academic entity. While they can be worn on the ring finger, class rings are worn on the pinky to show reverence to your place of education.
Fraternal/Social Ring
When men wear a pinky ring to show their unity towards a common religious, fraternal, social, or conventional bond, they wear a fraternal ring associated with that group. The rings are worn to express loyalty to the larger organisation ‘calling the shots’ and also as a means to identify the wearer amongst his compatriots.
Single/Multi-Stone Ring
The single-stone ring is a very popular pinky ring which ornaments a ring band using a single gem or any stone of choice. The simple design creates a unique and stunning visual interest without looking excessive or too distracting, particularly when combined with a gold or silver sterling band.
These type of men’s pinky rings can feature multiple varieties of stones, typically arranged in a specific pattern. For instance, a common arrangement incorporates a small stone in a brilliant cut which is set to either side of a centre stone.
Plain Ring
The plain pinky ring can be rather basic although not any less attractive. It comprises a simple band in a base, precious metal, or specific ring materials like bone, horn, wood, or stone. It is an elegant and often understated accessory which challenges the false premise that all pinky rings have to look showy or gaudy.
How do you wear a Pinky Ring?
Traditionally speaking, a men’s pinky ring is worn on your dominant hand, which is the right hand for most men. The dominant hand represents things in life which you have personally accomplished, so it makes sense to wear it on this hand. However, wearing it on the non-dominant hand is perfectly fine as it indicates your family accomplishments. Ultimately, you are free to wear your men’s pinky ring however you choose.
Additionally, these style tips might help you decide how you want to wear your pinky ring:
· By matching your pinky ring with other metal accessories, you can achieve a more cohesive look. So, if you’re into gold watches, consider wearing a gold pinky finger so that it ties in effortlessly with your watch collection.
· Try to achieve a balance with the other rings you’re wearing. Some people like to wear multiple rings on different fingers; if that’s the case with you, consider avoiding overcrowding your hands with too many other ring types, as the pinky ring is the statement piece and you don’t want to overshadow that. Let’s say you’re wearing a bold pinky ring – a simple or basic-looking band on another finger should add the perfect balance without drawing attention away from the pinky ring.
· Many wearers understand the importance of their pinky ring being an extension of their wardrobe. It’s not a random addition, after all, so a gemstone pinky ring featuring a dark hue like garnet or onyx, for instance, will pair well with both formal and semi-formal clothes. A simple, minimalist pinky ring, conversely, will complement casual wear very well.
Conclusion
Being one of the most common and versatile accessories in men’s fashion and style today, the pinky ring has been celebrated throughout the ages as a statement piece and much more. Browse through our fine collection of rings, including men’s pinky rings, and pick something that really speaks to your personal taste, style, and aspirations.