The idea of class rings originated in 1835, originally idealized as a military accessory. A short time later, they became available for students to signify accomplishment and a new phase in their lives.
Some schools have formal ring ceremonies to pass out the rings years or days before graduation. The ring is a constant reminder of how high school students made it through trials and tribulations.
When considering the purchase of a class ring, one might consider the cost and the overall worth.
The prices for class rings have changed drastically over the years.
Local Frederick resident Kimberly James said, “When I graduated high school in the 1970’s, the price to buy a class ring was only $35 compared to the huge ‘up-charge’ of today’s class ring.”
A class ring means many different things to different people. It may be seen a status symbol or a commemorative item to to memorialize a special time in their lives. Yet, some students may not be interested in one at all.
Linganore High School teacher Thomas Hawthorne said, “When I graduated from Linganore in 1969, I only thought buying a class ring was to signify that you graduated.”
Jostens is the current ring vendor for Linganore High School. Jostens representative, Tom Orme reported a change in the interest in purchasing a high school ring over time.
“Since when I started in 1993 and … phones became a huge thing, the desire for class rings has steadily been decreasing,” Orme said.
Social media has impacted the old school class traditions by making it fairly easy to save and share class memories.
Many students who choose to buy a ring wear their high school class rings for a special event but do not wear their rings on a daily basis. Although the style and material may have changed, the rings themselves may been seen as clunky.
Traditional class rings were made of 100% gold. Now, they are available in multiple different metals. The size of a typical ‘old school’ class ring is very large and many of today’s students do not like the traditional design. Consequently, most class ring suppliers now offer many different options for the overall size, design and options for engravings.
Colleges have class rings, too, but the typical person may not be eligible to buy one. At the University of Maryland, for instance, a student has to complete 60 or more credit hours in order to obtain a college class   ring. The style of this ring has remained the exact same over the years to give the alumni something over which to bond.
Linganore High School Assistant Principal Marcus Allen is the administrator in charge of class rings this year. According to Allen, a jostens representative reached out in the spring of 2022 about once again selling class rings to Linganore grads.
The representative indicated “the desire for class rings ‘fell to pieces’ during COVID,” Allen said.
Anyone who graduated from Linganore before 2000 more than likely has a ring or a letterman jacket, but current high school students think class rings are a “bit out of taste.”
While class ring companies state that the desire for class rings has not declined, one does not see many young people wearing class rings or showing them off.
One of the possible reasons for this decline is the price. The price for rings can be cost prohibitive for some. Other students may spend the $100-$400 price tag just to keep their ring in a box and occasionally look at it while reminiscing about the ‘good ole days.’ Similarly, some students may not wear their rings because they have the fear of ruining their value or pristine look. For various reasons such as these, the cost of a ring may not seem worth it.
Class rings have the ability to bring alumni from near and far together as a community. It is possible to one day see someone in the grocery store or on the sidewalk wearing a class ring from one’s school; it gives someone an opportunity to share their school experience.
However, the current trend in buying, or rather not buying, class rings may mean that in a few short years the want for class rings could dissipate completely as would the opportunity to reminisce with a fellow alum.
Lisa Garcia • Mar 25, 2024 at 9:33 am
Hello l am proud i was able buy two of my kids class rings, But sadly my daughter’s ring was stolen,I couldn’t afford to get another one. And one day I found a class ring and I am not sure who to contact, And to this day I still have it. The ring is from Albuquerque, New Mexico, I found it in Fresno, California
Geoff • Aug 23, 2024 at 11:10 pm
Hi Lisa…
I’d contact the ring’s maker. Many rings have at least initials in them. Using that data, the year, school, style, color of stone, and sizing, the ring company might be able to look at their past sales records and figure out who the owner is. The year and school alone narrow down the mystery significantly, given that the company probably only sells a couple hundred rings to each school in a given year.
You really should try to find the owner. The ring probably means a great deal to that individual. My father bought my college ring for me as a graduation gift. I’d really be upset if I lost it.
Good luck!
Sharine L Dozier • Mar 24, 2024 at 11:50 am
I bought my class ring don’t believe the hype of the media it still embarks on traditional aspects the milestone in our life that we made it through and nothing is like having the visual that will forever be with us. I love it so much for myself as class valedictorian and I am beyond grateful for mines.
Cindy Phillips • Mar 15, 2024 at 2:53 pm
The trend for class rings likely mimics social trends. Before social media the people you went to school with were extended family. There were no “outside” social rings. Consequently, whether good or bad, these people constituted the majority of your memories. With the emergence of cell phones and social media, classmates are now just people you go to school with. A class ring lacks the same value because you don’t have the same social connection or memories. My high school graduation was in 1994 so I have experienced this major shift. My generation still has these high school ties but my children’s do not.