Rings and other items of jewellery have long been used as a luxurious and symbolic means to publicly demonstrate one’s devotion.
Whether in the form of wedding bands, promise rings (Jonas Brothers, we’re looking at you), Irish Claddagh rings, engagement rings or any other circular piece of jewellery that fits on at least one of your fingers – the choices are seemingly endless. Yet when it comes to displaying one’s love for their very best friend – the options are historically not as wide or varied.
It’s true that ‘BFF’-related jewellery, however, was all the rage during the late 90s and early 00s. Multiple shelves and technicolour spinning racks at Claire’s Accessories were filled to the brim with what felt like an endless waterfall of matching keyrings and heart-shaped necklaces or bracelets, split in two so that each friend could wear a matching half. One half of the heart design often had ‘best friends’ cheaply engraved, with the other half featuring a Letraset-scrawled ‘forever’. Totes adorbs.
Despite the general association between best friend-related jewellery and cheap tat, we’re making a case for their comeback. No, we’re not talking about the half-a-heart designs – those can stay buried.
Modern online jewellery shops have witnessed a boom as of late, with breakthrough brands such as Astrid & Miyu, Mejuri and Hey Harper making waves within the digital retail world over the last few years. Equipped with Gen-Z facing philosophies that take inspiration from traditional, vintage styles, it is brands like these that are helping to produce affordable, stylish, and sleek pieces of jewellery which are made to last.
This makes purchasing matching jewellery with your best friend a whole lot easier -and a lot less lame. Though friendship jewellery typically comes in the form of necklaces or bracelets, we’re making a case for a new trend: the friendship ring. Subtle, sleek and a means to pretend you’re married if you’re hit on unwillingly at the bar – friendship rings are the way forward.
Keep scrolling for an edit of the best friendship rings on the market.
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Olivine Enamel Wave Ring and Amethyst Enamel Wave Ring
Available with either a rhodium plated sterling silver base, or an 18k gold plated sterling silver, these delicate crystal-adorned rings are a beautiful way to match with your best friend.
Olivine represents the power of creation and helps to imbue the wearer with a strong spirit, while amethyst represents peace and protection. Plus, the pink and green options reminds us of our bedrooms in the early Noughties – in the very best way.
Buy now £70.00, Astrid & Miyu
Hey Harper Missy Ring
An option for the boldest of besties, this bright turquoise ring from Hey Harper will certainly be noticed on your fingers. Crafted from metal, stainless steel and enamel – the Missy ring is also available in a neon yellow colour, depending on whether you want to go fully matching or have a little bit of difference between your friendship rings.
Buy now £38.00, Hey Harper
Groove Skinny Knot Ring
Tie the knot, quite literally, with your best pals and go for a set of matching rings from Monica Vinader. This 18-karat gold vermeil ring is handmade and crafted from recycled gold and silver, so you can celebrate your friendship and the planet at the same time.
Buy now £59.50, Monica Vinader
Custom Heart Birthstone Ring
Add both your own and your best friend’s birthstone to this double-heart, customisable gold ring from Abbot Lyon. You’ll never forget their birthday again – or their birth month, at least.
Buy now £60.00, Abbot Lyon
Personalised Pinkie Promise Rings
Though these rings are technically marketed to couples, let’s go ahead and say that this option is geared towards the besties who are platonically loved-up. A unique take on the classic half-a-heart BFF necklaces, we love the subtlety of these pinkie promise rings. They’re also engravable, if you’d like to include a small dedication to your pall on the inside of the ring.
This ring is also available with skeleton hands, though both hands are on one ring for this model.
Buy now £15.13, Etsy
Cece Jewellery 18ct Gold The Shark and Anchor Diamond Signet Ring
For besties with a deep commitment to one another and even deeper pockets, this 18-karat gold, enamel and diamond ring is the ultimate representation of friendship.
Choose from a matching or mis-matching set with designs representing your astrological placements, or various other animal portraits depending on which is suited to your fiery spirits.
Buy now £2860.00, Liberty
By Pariah Essential Quartz Ring
By Pariah is an expert at incorporating both precious crystals and stones into their pieces, and this stunning quartz ring certainly reflects that.
Created from hand-carved rutilated quartz encased with naturally occurring flecks and shards of gold, this is an incredibly unique piece for you and the bestie to bond over.
Plus, if you’re into all things crystals and healing, you’ll be especially pleased with the inclusion of the balancing, clarity-inducing clear crystal quartz.
Buy now £330.00, Net-A-Porter
Sun and Moon matching rings
Many of us have best friends who represent the complete flipside of our personalities in every way. The ying to our yang, or indeed – the sun to our moon, why not commemorate that seemingly at-odds relationship with this matching set?
Each design is available in either gold or silver, though we can guess that you and your best pal would prefer a mis-matched set, as pictured.
Buy now £11.25, Etsy
9ct Gold Initial Liberty Signet Ring
Whether you’d like to wear yours or your best friend’s initial on your finger, this nine-karat gold signet ring from Liberty is a fantastic choice. Each ring is made to order and small batch crafted by artisans in Italy, making these delicate pieces even more worth your while.
Buy now £350.00, Liberty
Gold Plated Hug Ring
Give the gift of an eternal cuddle and match with your bestie thanks to this adorable hug ring from Lily Charmed, available via Wolf & Badger in both silver and gold.
Buy now £50.00, Wolf & Badger
