If you're looking to purchase Masonic rings it probably means you're a member of the Freemasons. A group that can trace itself historically back to June 24th, 1717 when four London lodges met to establish the Grand Lodge of England, but some state that the masons have ties going all the way back to Ancient Egypt. The tools represented in the Masons symbol are working tools (the square, level, plumb, etc.) which remind members of the tenets of the craft. Members today are said to be of the 'craft.' Freemasonry exists in many parts of the globe as a basically social club with many levels of status for the members to work their way through. When a member has reached a higher degree there is a ceremony to officially confer the new ranking. Stonemason's tools represented in the Masonic symbol are used to stand for basic virtues. The three overriding Masonic principles are brotherly love, relief, and truth. Most will wear rings bearing the symbol of the Masons with other certain attributes like background colors to indicate that they are a Mason and come from a specific lodge or that you have attained a specific degree of status within the Masons. Some rings can be quite expensive for those who have gained a higher degree within the Masons. Most members' rings run an average of one hundred dollars. They are quite bold in statement, with a wide band and some containing gemstones and gold or silver. The more averaged priced ring will simply be the steel or brass with the Masonic emblem on a colored background. A lot of ring manufacturers pride themselves on being able to offer these rings handcrafted one at a time, by Masons for Masons. |
