An intaglio ring is a ring set with a stone whose design is carved down into the surface, not raised from it. RingDesire makes its intaglio rings by hand to order in cocktail, statement and signet styles, in quarter sizes from US 3.
The word is Italian and means to cut into (say it in-TAL-ee-oh). Hold the stone to the light and the carving seems to sit inside the glass. The full background is in What Is an Intaglio?. This guide is about the rings: how the styles differ, how to choose one and how to wear it.
Three styles at a glance
Every ring in the intaglio rings collection carries a carved glass stone. What changes from ring to ring is the scale, the outline and the setting.
| Style | What to expect | An example |
|---|---|---|
| Cocktail | One large carved stone on an oversized ring. Sometimes called a dinner ring. | Blue intaglio cocktail ring, Victorian style |
| Statement | The same scale, with more going on around the stone. | Blue intaglio statement ring, Victorian style with pearls |
| Signet | A flat oval face, modelled on the seal rings of the past. | Blue glass intaglio ring in a carved glass signet style |
Signet rings have a history of their own. It is told in Intaglio Signet Rings: Seals, History and How to Wear One.
What the style names mean
The names in our titles describe a look. They are not dates, and they are not claims about age. Every ring is newly made.
Victorian style follows the ornate, colour-rich jewellery of the 19th century. Roman style points back to the engraved gems of the ancient world, as in this olive green intaglio cocktail ring in a Roman style. Colour is the other choice. Across the rings you will find brown, olive green, blue, red, yellow, indigo and clear glass, including a brown intaglio cocktail ring in a Victorian style.
Some rings carry a motif as well as a colour. The fleur-de-lis, the French lily, appears on this red fleur-de-lis intaglio ring and on others in the fleur-de-lis collection.
What to look at in the carving
Look at the picture before you look at the colour. The lines should be clear where they are cut, and the outline of the design should sit evenly inside the stone. Each ring is made by hand, so small differences from one piece to the next are normal. They are part of what handmade means.
Reading a ring's page
Each ring's page lists the stone size, the height and width of the ring and the sizes it comes in. To judge the scale, cut a strip of paper to the length of the stone and lay it along your finger. That shows how much of the finger the stone will cover before you order.
Choosing a size
Rings are made to order in quarter sizes from US 3. Each ring lists its own range, up to US 10, 11, 12 or 13 depending on the style, and you choose your size on the ring's page. If you are between two sizes, take the larger. A large stone or a wide setting fits more snugly than a thin band.
The ring size guide has a chart with US, UK and EU sizes and the measurements in millimetres. You can also measure at home with a strip of paper, as shown in How to Find Your Ring Size at Home. If you are still unsure, order and send us your circumference in millimetres. The ring is cut to the measurement you give.
Buying for someone else
A ring is the one piece that needs a size. Borrow a ring that fits the same finger, measure its inside diameter in millimetres and match the number to the chart. Fingers swell in warm weather and shrink in the cold, so measure at room temperature if you can.
Which finger
There is no rule. A large cocktail or statement ring usually goes on the index or ring finger, where the stone is easy to see. Signet rings have traditionally gone on the little finger or ring finger of the less dominant hand, and the little finger is the most common.
Wearing an intaglio ring
- Let the ring be the one large piece on that hand.
- Keep any other rings thin and plain, so the carved stone has room.
- Blue and green sit easily against neutral clothes. Red and yellow stand out most against darker ones.
- Take the ring off before you wash, garden, lift or cook. Knocks are the usual cause of a loosened stone. The jewellery care guide has the rest.
Ordering and delivery
Each ring is made by hand after you order and sent in a gift box. It is dispatched within 2 to 5 business days and arrives 15 to 20 days after you place it, dispatch included.
Frequently asked questions
What is an intaglio ring?
A ring set with an intaglio, a design carved into the surface of the stone instead of raised from it. In RingDesire rings the stone is carved glass.
Is a signet ring the same as an intaglio ring?
Not exactly. Signet describes a style of ring that began as a personal seal. Intaglio describes how the stone is carved. Several of our rings are both: signet style rings set with an intaglio.
Can men wear these rings?
Yes. Signet and Roman style rings have a long history on men's hands. Check the size range on each ring's page, because the larger sizes are listed only on some styles.
Does an intaglio ring suit everyday wear?
A smaller, flatter ring is easier day to day. A large cocktail ring catches on sleeves more easily, so many people keep it for occasions. Either way, take it off for chores.
How long does a ring take to arrive?
Rings are made to order. They are dispatched within 2 to 5 business days and arrive 15 to 20 days after you place the order, dispatch included.