We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Home

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are High School Class Rings?

By Lorna W.
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 5,899
Share

High school class rings are commemorative piece of jewelry that celebrate a student's school and graduating class. Class rings are typically purchased during the freshman or sophomore year and worn until graduation. Most students buy a class ring as a fashionable piece of jewelry but in years to come enjoy it as a memento of their high school days.

The traditional high school class ring is a wide metal band with a large colored jewel at the top. The high school name circles the jewel, and the wide sides allow for the insertion of the graduation year and other personalized symbols. While this is a typical ring design, each ring manufacturer offers dozens of looks suitable for both male and female students, with some barely recognizable as high school class rings.

Rings are offered in varying qualities of gold, silver, and white gold, both solid and plated. Since the jewels in most class ring designs are large, they are usually imitation stones. However, the use of faux jewels means that you can have any color jewel you desire on your ring; you can even have a "diamond" if you want one. Some students will choose their birthstone and others will select a stone in their favorite color.

Unless they select a style that is too narrow for it, the most careful decision that students must make when buying a class ring is what designs they want to place on each side of the ring. These designs will be molded into the metal, resulting in a carved look. How can you encapsulate your high school experience in two small pictures? There are symbols available that represent school mascots, sports, clubs, academics, and the arts; if a student in high school could be interested in it, there's probably a symbol available.

High school class rings are usually offered for sale at school, with a vendor coming during lunch periods or after school, accepting orders, and later delivering them to the students. However, class rings can also be purchased from jewelry and department stores. Wherever you purchase it, consider your class ring an investment in high school memories.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By Drentel — On Mar 26, 2014

@Laotionne - While many people think of wearing class rings as a relatively recent tradition, the practice originated in the 19th Century. The 1835 class at West Point (United States Military Academy) is credited with being the first class of students to use the class ring as a symbol of brotherhood and unity.

After 1835, students at other institutions began to adopt the practice of wearing class rings. Eventually, the rings became commonplace at high schools in the United States and Canada.

By Laotionne — On Mar 25, 2014

Class rings have become such a big part of the educational experience. Actually, class rings were more prevalent in my high school than at college. The day we ordered class rings was one of the red letter days at my high school.

Does anyone know how the practice of wearing class rings started?

Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-high-school-class-rings.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.