Affordable Wedding Rings

The Story Behind The SS Deaths Head Ring

By {Herr HimmlerDarth MaulInn Vader}

 The SS-Ehrenring , unofficially called Totenkopfring ,which translates to Deaths Head Ring(English "Death's head ring"), was an award of Heinrich Himmler's Schutzstaffel (SS). It was not a state decoration, but rather a personal gift bestowed by Himmler.


The ring was initially presented to senior officers of the Old Guard of which there were fewer than 5,000, who had displayed exemplary valor and leadership skill in battle. An additional requirement was a clean disciplinary record, and a subsequent blemish on it would require the wearer to return the ring. By 1939, disciplinary issues aside, it was available to any officer with 3 years service in the SS, and in WWII virtually the entire SS leadership, including the Waffen-SS and Gestapo, had the ring.

On October 17, 1944 production of the rings by Gahr & Co. of Munich was cancelled due to the increasing economic stresses of the final stages of the war. 14,500 were made altogether. The rings were cast in two halves with the recipients name inside along with other inscriptions, then fused together and finished, it was cast in Silver.

In addition every recipient got a standard letter of Himmler which described the meaning of the ring. The name of the recipient and the conferment date was added on the letter.

According to Himmler's accompanying letter the skull itself was to be a reminder for the wearer of the ring to be prepared anytime to risk their own life for the life of the community.

The design of the ring reflects Himmler's interest in Germanic mysticism.

The ring shows skull and crossed bones on its top. The skull (or Totenkopf) was the traditional symbol of the SS, taken from other German and Prussian military units of the past. Armanen runes appear prominently on the ring. The two Sig Runes represent the lightning flash runes of the Schutzstaffel, while the Hagal rune represents the faith and camaraderie that was idealised by the leaders of the organisation. The SS liked to portray the Swastika as a symbol of the power of the Aryan race.

The Heilszeichen (literally: symbols of salvation), on the rear of the ring, was a creation of the SS designers rather than a historical rune. It symbolised all the ideals of the SS, from camaraderie to their belief that SS men should sacrifice all for their brothers.

On the inside of the ring was engraved the name of the bearer, initial followed by full surname, the date of presentation, and a facsimile of Himmler's signature, plus the abbreviations S Lb. for "Seinem Lieben" or "His Beloved." Recipients also received a specially designed box decorated with the SS runes for storage or carrying.

Karl Maria Wiligut has been credited with the design.

All rings were to be returned to Himmler upon the bearer's death or when they left the SS, to be kept at Wewelsburg as a kind of individual memorial to the holder. When a ring-holder was killed in battle, his SS comrades were to make every effort to retrieve the ring and prevent its falling into enemy hands. By January 1945, 64% of the 14,500 rings made had been returned to Himmler. After the end of the war, many rings were also (per Himmler's instructions) buried with the people who were awarded them.

Less than 3,500 rings are thought to be in existence today, and therefore are very rare, collectable items. Copies and fakes are also common. There appears to be difficulty in verifying the authenticity of examples bearing the name "Mller" and "Maier".

You can buy a Death's Head Ring and other pieces of silver jewelery like
silver guitar rings at Sterling-Silver-Rings.info

Do You Know The History of Wedding Rings

By Daniel Millions

 As serious of a union that marriage is, a majority of the individuals that enter into this lifelong union have absolutely no idea about any of the history of wedding rings.


No matter what part of the country you may wish to travel to, chances are, that no matter where you might go, the wedding ring will be easily recognized for the loving commitment that this circle of eternity is meant to represent.

The mysterious history of the wedding ring begins along the sandy deserts of North Africa. Pharaoh and all of the Egyptians that were known as his people, dotted all along the Nile river and the vast fertile flood plains that lined all along the banks of the Nile.

Many of the reeds, rushes and sedges that flourished along the riverbanks were what ultimately became known as the first wedding rings. The Egyptians would artistically fashion these twigs and reeds into what became known as the first wedding rings. They would carefully braid and twist each piece into a cherished and delicate wedding ring to be presented to their loved one. Normally the wedding rings that were made in this manner would only last about a year.

Other materials started being used, such as ivory, bone, and even leather. It was evident that these types of material would last significantly longer when used in the craftsmanship of the wedding rings, than the original materials that were used, which even included the use of hemp. There were of course many other pieces of jewelry that were also made, such as bracelets that would be worn on the wrist.

The wedding ring had great meaning for the Egyptians, other than merely being a ring worn on the finger. Just as it is today, the circle that seemed to return to itself by having no beginning and no end, symbolized eternity. The center of the ring had a meaning that goes way beyond just an empty center. For the Egyptians, it symbolized both the known and the unknown special events and things that were yet to come through the door, or the gateway, which was the center of the ring.

To even further describe the depth of the meaning that was encircled around the wedding rings worn by the Egyptians, they also believed that the vein of the third finger of the left hand, traveled directly from the heart.

Even though it occurred rather gradually, in later years metallurgy slowly began to replace the earlier styles in which the wedding rings were made. The craftsmanship of the first rings that were made in this manner was often poorly designed and extremely uneven. To help enhance the style of these early forms of the wedding ring, couples would often receive various gems and precious stones that could be set into the bands. Most of these rings were more used to convey ones high standing and wealth.

When the brides of Egyptian times accepted a wedding ring, she then became tied to the man who presented her with the ring, and known as his property. In turn, the woman who accepted the ring also enjoyed rights that would protect her as his bride to be. After accepting the wedding ring from him, the enforceable and binding contract that it portrayed would be summoned upon to prevent any rivals she might have, to be unable to overtake her position.

The overall design of the wedding ring might have changed a great deal since these earlier years, but its deep meaning of love and eternity still remains the same.

If you are looking for high quality wedding rings such as round brilliant cut diamonds rings and princess cut rings look no further.