I was talking to a older brother from my Lodge the other day and we got on the subject of rings, and I want to point out, I am not just looking to get the ring.... but he was telling me that sometimes the wife buys the ring but I am not married so I will be buying my own...anyways, he said rings are usually presented when you become a MM ( at least in my area). My question is, I have looked on the internet getting ideas and cost.... some are very pricey!!!! Anyways, I found a website where they make custom rings for around $100 I believe its http://www.jemsbyjem.com .... has anyone ever bought a ring from there? I am still a little ways out from being raised but it never hurts to be prepared, I am not a big jewelry wearer so when I get one, I want it to be something I like without costing fortune.
What are your thoughts, traditions and such regarding rings....??? I have heard of some Lodges presenting the newly raised Brothers with a ring so all members have a matching one.
In this part of the masonic world, when a ring is a gift, it is presented in lodge immediately after the completion of the 3rd degree. This means that if the wife or mother is the giver, she has to forgo the pleasure of presenting it and entrust that act to one of the lodge brothers. Of course, it is not uncommon for rings to be passed down from father to son, so that a man who is a lewis may have his own ring and his father’s.
Only a master mason is entitled to wear a ring, as you don’t become (in the USA) a member of your lodge until you have been raised. There is also the matter of the way the square and compasses are depicted, which you will learn more about.
Needless to say, there are an infinite variety of rings and it’s a matter of taste whether you prefer one of the chunky ones with a lot of ornamentation and maybe with diamond or sapphire embellishment, or if you prefer something not so showy. The most beautiful lodge ring I have ever seen was a plain flat narrow yellow gold band with an oval top with a plain frame enclosing a flat oval amethyst which was carved to allow the square and compasses (gold) to be set into the surface. The oval top was not as wide as the man’s finger and only about half the length of his finger joint; a marvel of understated elegance.
Whatever you decide on, it is, as we always say at such a presentation, for you to wear with pleasure to yourself and honor to the fraternity.
REYoung-
I agree 110% that I along with other non MM are not entitled to wear the ring. I am very much a traditionalist...or as the young guys at work call me “old school”. I dont have any MM in my family that I know of but I was going to ask my mentors’ if they would do me the honor of presenting my ring. I have spent alot of time with them and it would me alot to me if they did it....kinda like the icing on the cake, they will have put alot of time and effort into my journey. I hope I am not wrong in assuming that they would be very happy to do this...... I know I would feel honored.
As far as a ring style, I am gonna kinda nose around and see what the other guys wear....I know I am not going to get a real flashy one, not my style, but I would kinda like to be in the same ball park as my Brothers....
Wearing of the ring, well, I am sure that I will be given wise advice once I have the pleasure of wearing it. Until then, I will keep shopping and if anyone has a good site to check out or know of any jewelers they would like to recommend please let me know.
Here’s a suggestion: Many large jewelers sell “Estate Jewelry”, which is used goods. Often it is very nice indeed and it is not derogatory to call it used; it is, in fact, often antique and sold not because someone wanted cash, but because it was part of someone’s estate and there were no heirs interested in it. Pricing of estate jewelry is usually very reasonable. There will be a lot of old fashioned junk, but old fashioned masonic rings are usually nicer than new ones and made of better materials. If you’re in a metropolitan area with lots of large jewelers, check some out. It’s a hit-or-miss proposition, but you could get very lucky.
I do live close to a larger city and have been looking into the jewelry stores and on the internet i.e. “craigslist” for estate sales, ebay, and have found some sites where Brother Masons make rings.
Like I said, not rushing anything or getting the cart before the horse, I like to hear stories about where your ring came from or any history behind it. I met a Brother tonight from a neighboring Lodge and he had some very nice rings but I wasnt sure if it was proper to ask him what they were for, so I just looked from a distance.
I am also interested in a ring once I get raised to MM. Just like Fireman99, I don’t a family member who is/was a MM. I am considering a nice, small, inconspiquous, white gold pinky ring for my right hand (like what the actor Harvey Keitel wore in the ending scenes of “National Treasure").
Here’s a thought:
Type masonic rings in the Search Box above.
Masons love their jewelry and rings are the focal point.
Forget “pinky rings”, that is, Think; WestPoint! Think Pride.
Gold is now at 1073 dollars an ounce. Ten carat rings are on the
Masonic online jewelers have tons of good designs.
Antiques are out there but hard to find. You’ll wear it most of the time.
Get what makes you feel good.
My first ring will be one that is an everyday ring, I have heard or read the term “Working mans ring”, on my job a big diamond style wouldnt be wise. I have found two Brothers who make custom rings and I am sure I am not the only person on here that knows of them but I want to give them a plug for their sites Bro. John Morrow http://www.jemsbyjem.com and Bro.Gordon Spurlock http://www.gordonsmasonicrings.com
I have narrowed my decision down to three different styles but I figured it would be wise to get through Valentines Day before I order my ring......the better half just might be jealous if I dont get her a ring too....LOL
Just FYI if anyone that is a regular on here and wondering since I will be doing my FC next week why I am ordering my ring next week, it takes 4-6 weeks to get it and if everything goes well, I will be getting my MM around the end of March or early April and I would really like to have it so my mentors can present it then...... I am a firm believer that no one but a MM should wear it and other than trying it on when I get it, it wont be worn until then.
Might I make a suggestion, brothers? Your discussions here and on other threads are informative and interesting, but they become confusing at times because you talk about practices that are not common here in Massachusetts. Since this site is run and moderated out of Massachusetts, it is quite possible that certain practices you describe are foreign to lodges here in MA.
I would therefore suggest that you update your profiles to at least specify what city and state you are from , so that when reading the thread, we can look down and know what area of the country such practices are common. Such examples include giving of rings to MMs or having an investigating committee visit a candidates house to meet with family.
It would be helpful for potential members to know what to expect here in MA vs. other states, so showing us your location would help with any confusion.
Just a suggestion, but I think having your location under your post definitely adds to the site.
See below? You know exactly where I’m from and to which jurisdiction I am referring when I speak of my experiences.
I got my ring on E-Bay. Look up “vintage Masonic ring” or just “Masonic ring” for newer styles. I like the older look myself. My ring is approximately 50 years old. It’s 6.5 gram 10k gold with a small diamond and the traditional red stone. It has all the traditional symbols on it. Looks like it was never worn but I wear it anytime I go someplace other than work (I’m in construction). Cost me $127.
Interesting discussion. I have a stainless-steel ring, that I wear when I work overseas. I found a very nice ring in an estate sale, that I use as my “everyday” ring (back in the USA). I also have my Grandfather’s heirloom ring, that I wear only on special occasions.
Wearing a lodge ring is part of the wages of a Master Mason. I am delighted to see that newly made MM’s around the country, are continuing with this splendid tradition.
cemab4y
I too am getting a stainless ring, my line of work isnt the best to be wearing fancy gold and diamonds. Not that those rings are bad or anything....I might wait for a little while before I get what I would call a “dress” ring...something I would wear with my suit .......speaking of suits, has anyone else ever had a suit to shrink......I hadnt until recently when I tried it on and it had shrunk since the last time I wore it, its weird.
I look forward to getting my MM and showing my pride in being in the Fraternity.
