Presumably, the earliest form of an engraved ring was a plain ring with a word or two scratched on it. Not only the quality of engravings has improved drastically (particularly with laser engraving), but you can also fit a whole lot more on a ring than before! Here is a service that allows you to engrave your entire wedding vows on a ring (provided they are not too long, and why should they be?):
A GOLD medieval ring unearthed in Winwick has been declared treasure trove.
The ring is set with a hexagonal sapphire in a bezel with two side bands engraved with flowers and leaves and a plain central band that has worn smooth in places.
Inside the hoop is the French inscription Joye Sanz Fyn which can be translated as Joy Without End’.
A similar ring owned by former Archbishop of Canterbury, William Wytlesey, who died in 1374, can be seen in a collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
I don’t know how unusual it is to find a ring with a French inscription as opposed to a Latin. Also, the phrases sounds a bit strange and sort of secular.
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