Horseshoe nail rings are one of those uniquely equestrian looks that have remained popular through the ages. Did you know why this is an enduring classic piece of horse jewelry?
The answer may surprise you. In the Middle Ages, blacksmiths were important people in everybody’s life – not just the horse owners! If you wanted anything that was made of metal, from a sword to a plowshare, you needed the blacksmith to make it happen.
People didn’t understand how things were made of metal, and the fiery, smoking forge of the blacksmith seemed very mysterious – almost magical. A tradition developed that blacksmiths had special abilities, and that some of their creations were more than ordinary.
In particular, rings made from horseshoe nails were thought to have protective powers. Scholars have identified horseshoe nail rings as one of the most common magic charms. People would wear horseshoe nail rings to keep them safe from accident and injury. Back in the day, medical science was not nearly as advances as it is now, so something as simple as a bad cut or a broken bone could easily become fatal. So staying safe was a top priority.
Those early horseshoe nail rings were made of iron. Durable, certainly. Magical, perhaps. But stylish? Not so much. Today’s jewelry artisans continue the tradition of the horseshoe nail ring with a little more flash and flair. If you’d like a horseshoe nail ring for yourself, perhaps you’d enjoy this 14K Yellow Gold Horseshoe Nail Ring. Made in the USA by our master jewelers, this exclusive design is part of our Rider Ring Collection. The low profile of this ring makes it ideal for everyday wear, even with horses.
The diamonds add just enough sparkle and shine: more than a few of our customers have chosen this ring as a horse-themed wedding ring or equestrian engagement ring. We can’t promise that this horseshoe nail ring will keep you safe from accident or injury, but we do know it will make you smile every time you look at it!
