A Big Ol' Ring
A fine bit of bling
Through the years I’ve worn a number of different Masonic rings.
In my experience, the overwhelming majority of Masons love their Masonic rings, and I’m certainly no different.
The coolest ring, that I wore for a year, was the ring worn by all Grand Masters of Washington. That was, without a doubt awesome because of its long history within our Craft.
Most commonly, I wear two rings. A rather typical gold and onyx Masonic ring on one hand and a gold and diamond Scottish Rite 14th Degree ring on the other. These are both antiques, and have served me well for a great many years.
I also wear a sterling silver Masonic ring, without a stone, on those occasions where I’m doing something hard and physical with my hands. A ring that unlike the others can survive abuse.
Speaking of abuse, on rare occasions I’ll wear a small silver, mother of pearl, and turquoise Masonic ring. It too is very old, but I wear it rarely because it is so delicate and fragile. It’s beautiful, but it would be quite easily ruined.
I have one or two others, but I don’t wear them.
Many years ago, while at the Venetian in Las Vegas I saw the largest Masonic ring I’ve ever seen in my life. White diamonds, blue sapphires, set in gold. The thing was huge! Like something a rap star would wear in his music videos. As I recall it cost about as much as my Silverado, and while it was quite amazing I’d never wear such a thing, so when I departed Las Vegas, the ring remained there.
But I have wanted a really big Masonic ring for quite awhile now. Not an ordinary Masonic ring but something created in the style so identified with the Southwestern United States. Something evoking feelings of Arizona and New Mexico. Silver and turquoise. Something big and bold.
Jewelry of that style isn’t uncommon where I live, but I never quite found anything as big and bold as I wanted to go.
Until yesterday that is.
Yesterday we were wandering through an antique store, and I spotted it!
How could I miss it, the thing is huge!
Silver and turquoise, with a big ol’ Square and Compasses in the center, it takes up half my finger. The fit was perfect too. Heavy, like skull crusher heavy. I couldn’t resist and was wearing it by the time we left the store.
It is certainly not elegant like my finely crafted gold rings, but beautiful and amazing in its own way. Unmarked, I presume that it is handcrafted, probably of that kind of Southwestern jewelry known as ‘Old Pawn.’
Next time you see me, I imagine it’ll be on my finger.
But now I’m curious.
Do you wear a Masonic ring(s)?
Blue Lodge, Appendant or Concordant body, other?
What to you makes for the perfect Masonic ring?
Let’s chat about it in the comments below…
Looking for more? All my writing from last week can be found at my LinkTree.
I do have Masonic rings, and I do wear them. Not all the time, however.
For example, I too have a Scottish Rite 14th degree ring. I have the original one that was presented to me by Seattle Valley. The gold plating has worn off. So my wife took it with her to Indonesia on a trip, and she had another one made for me there. It is white gold with yellow gold plating. It's actually quite a bit thicker and heavier than the original. I wear it during SR events only.
I have York Rite Masonic rings for the three bodies, and occasionally wear them when attending York Rite meetings, but not always.
I also have a number of Masonic rings with square and compasses. None of which are particularly fantastic. My favorite one that I wear most of the time is a a ring that resembles a high-school graduation ring. I like it, because I have always like that style. it has no stones, but simply the square and compasses on the top, where the stone would be.
I have others that are more subtle in the logo on the ring, and I wear them occasionally.
Here's the rub, pun intended here. I find a ring on my right hand to be uncomfortable. I guess, because I don't wear one often enough for my brain to "ignore" the presence. I find, when worn on the right ring finger, the thicker rings will irritate the insides of the two other fingers.
The high school style ring, is nicely balanced in shape, form, and thickness, and due to the size, I have to wear it on my middle finger of the right hand. It's less obtrusive and I like that. But I keep hitting it on things, or getting it caught on the lip of the pocket of my pants when reaching in for something.
Also, I have yet to find a Masonic ring design that I would wear all the time. No designs I have come across, speak to me in that manner, yet.
What made my ring special was that my wife bought it for me as a Christmas present.