A puzzle ring is a piece of jewelry composed of several separate bands that interlock in a knotwork pattern. The ring can be disassembled, transforming it into a puzzle that must be carefully manipulated before being reassembled. Although ornate and customized versions are used as wedding, friendship, and promise rings, these rings are primarily used as a novelty. The rings are sold in a variety of jewelry stores and range in complexity and price.
The puzzle ring’s origins aren’t entirely clear. According to popular belief, the idea originated in Turkey, when a man wanted to ensure that his wife was not cheating on him. He created a ring that disintegrated when removed and gave it to his wife as a wedding ring. While this story may appear to be a little fanciful, some people refer to this type of ring as a Turkish wedding ring, implying that the legend may be true.
A simple puzzle ring is made up of only two bands and is very simple to solve. Rings with four or six bands are very common, and skilled jewelers can create rings with even more bands. All of the bands interlock, ensuring that the ring remains intact even if the bands come apart and no bands are lost. Depending on personal preference, the bands can be made from a single metal or a combination of metals. Pure gold rings are uncommon because the metal can deform, potentially damaging the ring. Sterling silver rings are a popular choice of metal.
In many cases, a puzzle ring comes with instructions for solving it. Patience and a steady hand are required to complete the puzzle. If you’re having trouble solving a puzzle ring, remember not to force or compress it, as this will distort it and make it impossible to solve. You’ll be able to solve the puzzle quickly once you get the hang of it, which can be a fun party trick.
It’s difficult to describe the solution to a puzzle ring because each one is slightly different. The instructions below are for a simple four-band ring, but they can be extrapolated and modified to make larger rings. Make sure you’re working with the ring in a bright, distraction-free environment.
Begin recognizing the two outer bands. Instead of a rougher edge from inside the ring, they will have a rounded, glossy edge. Allow the two inside rings to dangle bringing them together with their knotwork “V’s” facing away from each other. Invert the dangling rings, keeping their knotwork facing down, so that the oriented outside rings are facing down and their knotwork is also at the bottom.
Next, carefully counter-clockwise twist one of the inside rings. The inside rings will nestle together if they are oriented correctly, and the outside rings will be caught between them. To accomplish this, you may need to reorient the inside rings several times. On both sides of the puzzle ring, your goal is to get the outside band trapped inside the small hole formed between the knotwork and the beginning of the inside bands. At this point, the ring should resemble the numeral “8.”
After that, carefully rotate one of the outside bands and slide its knotwork beneath the inside rings, gently pushing it down so that its band nestles against the inside bands. Repeat the process with the other outside ring, gently jostling it to bring the knotwork and bands together. It may take some time the first time you do this, but if you keep practicing, you will become very skilled at it. If it starts to irritate you, use a jump ring to keep the bands together and prevent them from separating.