Gothic & Esoteric Rings

This section brings together the shop's rings that do not come from the Norse world: skulls and gothic signet rings, esoteric symbols, stones and cabochons. We moved them out of the Viking Ring section for a simple reason: a pentacle or a witch's knot has nothing Scandinavian about it, and we prefer to call each piece by its name. Same materials, same sizes, same care; only the imagery changes.

Skulls and gothic pieces

The skull is the oldest motif in this section: a memento mori, a reminder of death worn on the finger since the Renaissance. It comes here as an engraved skull ring, as signet rings with a skull in relief and black or red eyes, and as a white stone ring flanked by two skulls. Alongside them, the more singular pieces: a coffin ring whose glazed top encloses a rose, an octopus whose tentacles wrap around the finger, a watch ring with Roman numerals.

Esoteric symbols

Each of these motifs has a precise history, often more recent than people think. We sum it up without embellishing it.

• The witch's knot, four interlaced loops drawn in a single stroke, is a protective sign from European folklore, carved on lintels and cradles to ward off ill fortune. It comes here as a thin band, an openwork band, a black top and a wide gold-tone ring.
• The triple moon, crescent, full moon, crescent, represents the goddess in contemporary Wicca and neo-paganism: a 20th-century symbol, not an ancient survival. Open ring, adjustable on the finger.
• The pentacle of the Tetragrammaton is the pentagram drawn by the occultist Éliphas Lévi in the 19th century, surrounded by Hebrew letters. Gold-tone, open version.
• The sigil of Baphomet, an inverted pentagram bearing a goat's head, comes from the same late-19th-century occult tradition, since taken up by gothic and metal imagery. Open steel ring.
• The sulfur cross, also called the Leviathan cross, is the alchemical sign for sulfur: a double cross set on an infinity symbol. Steel band.
• The flower of life, interlaced circles forming a rosette, has appeared in art since antiquity; its reading as "sacred geometry" is contemporary. Domed silver-tone ring or wide gold-tone openwork top.
• The square, the compass and the letter G of the masonic signet ring are the emblems of Freemasonry, worn on rings since the 18th century.
• The six-pointed star set with red stones and the sun engraved on black stone complete the series.

Stone and signet rings

The rest of the section belongs to classic men's jewellery: solid signet rings with a set top, tiger's eye on black steel, veined black stone ringed with zircons, octagonal glittering blue top, and cabochon rings, elongated green, a snake coiled around a red or black stone, a double snake guarding a green or red stone. The openwork chevron ring with a white zircon and the lightning signet ring are the plainest of the series.

Materials, sizes and care

Most of these rings are made of 316L stainless steel, the same as our Viking rings: it does not rust, does not tarnish and can be worn in the shower. A few set models are made of plated alloy, lighter and more sensitive to perfume and household products; the exact material is stated on each product page, along with the finish, silver-tone, black or gold-tone.

Sizes are American, from 5 to 13 depending on the model; "open" rings adjust on the finger. To convert a European size or measure your finger without tools, use the size chart of the Viking Ring section: it applies to all our rings.

Care: a soft cloth and warm soapy water are enough for steel. Take plated or set models off before the pool and housework, and store them away from damp.

Frequently asked questions

Are these rings Viking? No, which is why they have their own section. Skulls, pentacles, the witch's knot or the flower of life belong to other traditions, which we describe as they are.

Do they suit women? Yes: thin bands, open rings and the witch's knot or triple moon models are most often chosen by women, wide signet rings by men. Nothing in the motifs themselves is gendered.

How do I choose my size? Measure the inside diameter of a ring that fits you, or your finger with a piece of string, and refer to the chart in the Viking Ring section. Between two sizes, take the larger one.

Explore also: our Viking rings, runes, Valknut, Yggdrasil, ravens, all our Viking jewelry and our Viking necklaces to match a piece. For which finger to choose and how to wear a signet ring, read our guide Meaning of the Viking ring: finger, size and symbols.