Rings are one of those jewelry items that you can’t really seem to have enough of. After all, you’ve got ten fingers that are basically begging to be blinged out with diamonds and gold. But each finger also has different meanings and symbolism depending on whether or not it’s decked out with a ring.

If you ever see a man with just a pinky ring, it might be representative of a few different concepts.

Here’s what you might be able to find out about a man just from where he wears his rings:

Possible Meanings of a Pinky Ring

There are many different reasons why a man might decide to wear a ring on his pinky finger. 

Let’s take a look at some of the most common.

Family Status

When pinky rings were first thrust into the world of men’s fashion, they were initially only worn by those with a high stature. The reason for this was that the pinky ring was the signet ring. Signet originates from the Latin word “signum,” which translates to “sign.” These were originally meant to be dipped in hot wax and stamped on envelopes to mark letters with a unique family crest.

While most men aren’t sending enough letters with a unique seal nowadays, many men are still choosing to wear family crests on their pinky, especially if they come from a family of high stature.

Specifically, men in the royal family wear the Coats of Arms on their pinkies, and some American politicians choose to wear crests here as well. It’s essentially used as a sign that you come from a family of power.

Marital Status

Traditionally, women used to wear their wedding rings or engagement rings on their left ring fingers. This is because the vena amoris vein within the pinky was thought to lead directly to the heart.

This has since been debunked, as there is no vein that runs directly from the fingers to the heart. However, traditionally, men would wear their wedding rings on their pinky fingers.

While this is another one of those traditions that are a bit dated, some men do still like to stack their wedding rings over their signet rings. This is, again, common in the royal family, with many monarchs wearing their wedding rings on their left pinky.

Fraternities or Other Associations

One of the most popular reasons for a man to wear a pinky ring is to say something about themselves. This finger is used to hold rings that represent different groups of organizations that a man might be a part of.

Class rings are historically worn on the pinky finger to signify the year in which someone graduated high school or college. But they are often also worn to represent a fraternity, sort of like a family crest to represent a fraternal organization.

Financial Status

Ever notice how hip-hop artists and other celebrities always seem to have rings on their pinky fingers? Sometimes, it’s just a way for them to show off their financial status. Pinky rings are historically only worn by members of a royal family or patriarch, so wearing a pinky ring is a way to emulate the same opulence.

Why do rich people wear rings on their pinkies? It’s because they don’t need to do hard labor that might require them to use their hands. This is one of the reasons why people started wearing rings on this finger in the first place.

Keep in mind that not everyone has a pinky ring just to show off their wealth. Sometimes, someone might just feel like wearing a ring on their pinky finger.

Just Because

The beauty of jewelry is that you can wear it however you’d like. Rules are meant to be broken, and if you feel like wearing a ring on your pinky just because, then you should go for it.

While jewelry is often at its prime when it can symbolize something deeper, it doesn’t have to. 

Pendants and pieces can have a major sentimental value, but sometimes, jewelry is at its best when you just enjoy the way it looks. And if you enjoy the way a ring looks on your pinky, then you don’t need another reason to throw one on.

What Do Rings on Other Fingers Mean?

Your pinky finger is not the only one that has its own identity when it comes to wearing rings. Each finger can have a different connotation — if you want it to.

Thumb

Thumb rings are one of the toughest rings to pull off, both literally and metaphorically. You definitely want to make sure you have a band wide enough to slide on and off of your finger. 

Typically, wearing a thumb ring is a bold move that makes you seem more assertive or aggressive in life. Historically, mobsters used to wear thumb rings to show people that you shouldn’t mess with them.

Index Finger

A ring on the index finger often reflects confidence and leadership qualities. Since it’s the most dominant finger, putting a ring here often reflects the essence of authority or power. This is where you should put a ring if you want people to notice it.

Note that since your index finger is your most dominant, you want to make sure you get a comfortable piece that doesn’t get in the way of your daily activities.

Middle Finger

Rings on the middle finger are uncommon compared to the other digits, but it’s not unheard of. If a man ever chooses to wear a ring on this finger, you can expect that they did it to represent their own responsibility and self-analysis. Often, a ring here denotes balance and stability, as it sits right at the center of the hand.

Ring Finger

Your ring finger, as the name implies, is the most common place where you’ll find a ring on the hand. This is mainly because this finger is meant to hold onto an engagement ring. Again, this finger got its name because it was believed that there was a vein there that connected from the finger all the way to the heart.

With that said, you don’t need to be engaged to wear rings here. This is the most common place to wear rings, even if you’re not married.

In Conclusion

The type of ring a man wears can tell you a lot about his personality, but the placement of the ring might tell you even more. Wearing a ring on the pinky is a bold choice that not many men decide to make, but for those who do, it can mean a number of things.

In many cases, it is a symbol of wealth and power. Often, it denotes a family crest or social status. However, it might also denote a class ring or a fraternity ring. Of course, a man might just be wearing a ring on their pinky because they feel like it.

No matter where you decide to wear your ring, make sure it’s high quality. 6 Ice is the finest purveyor of high-quality hip-hop jewelry. Our lifetime guarantee can give you peace of mind, ensuring that your piece is built to last.

Check out our collection of men’s rings here and find one (or a few) that suits your style.

Sources:

Coats of Arms | The Royal Family

Discover the History & Traditions of Diamond Engagement Rings | American Gem Society

Band For Life: The History of Wedding Rings | Vanity Fair