Being a biker is more than a passion for riding motorcycles. It is a lifestyle that a motorcycle provides and the feeling of freedom filling your heart when you’re dashing down a highway. Being a biker also means sporting a certain look that reflects this lifestyle.
The image of a biker is comprised of a multitude of elements including clothes, accessories, tattoos, beard, and so on. Each of these details is important to maintain cohesiveness and authenticity. Even the smallest omission may call into question your right to be called a biker. Some people would call jewelry unimportant and excessive but just like spice, it makes ordinary things extraordinary. It adds more pizzas and attractive quality that would draw interest like a magnet.
Of all biker accessories and pieces of jewelry, the most respect goes to rings. They are easy to pull off and, unlike other items, they have a quite interesting history. We’ll start our journey through silver biker badass rings with it.
The History of Biker Rings in a Nutshell
It’s no secret that the biker movement originated in the United States. More specifically, in the southern states that border on Mexico. At some point in the 1950s, motorcyclists traveling along the country boundary spotted beautiful and burly rings sold by Mexican craftsmen. They were dirt cheap, something like 5 bucks per piece, but intricate and expertly made. Bikers figured that something that massive and badass would be a great compliment to their look, so they started buying reams of those finger ornaments.
Not only were Mexican rings means of decoration but also they had a monetary value. The alloy they were crafted from contained some silver and bronze (due to the fact that Mexican artisans melted down depreciated coins and used the metal for crafting) so it was worth something by itself, and even more in the craft form. Those large and heavy rings quickly spread across the biker community as the means of payment. Bikers exchanged them for goods and services if they didn’t have actual money with them.
You probably know that bikers earned themselves a reputation as brawlers and troublemakers. Indeed motorcycle gangs are not the nicest phenomenon. Besides terrorizing citizens, they fought for territories and influence with one another. Skirmishes and brawls weren’t that uncommon. And if you’re one of the parties in a fistfight, something to make your punch more efficient would really come in handy. Unfortunately for fighters, the law banned the use of knuckle dusters. But they quickly came with a clever solution –a few solid rings put on the hand are as effective as actual fist-loading weapons.
So biker rings became multifunctional devices that encompass these meanings:
- body ornaments;
- means of payment;
- fist weapons.
This versatility combined with outstanding looks made badass rings sought-after within and outside the biker community.
What is The Best Material for Biker Rings?
As you already know, the very first biker rings were made of the same material as centavos, Mexican coins of the mid-XX century. They boasted a yellowish tint lent by copper and bronze. Original Mexican rings are still highly demanded as collectibles. Along with that, you can find plenty of models mimicking their look in terms of design and appearance. Yes, they are not authentic but they provide that mesmerizing retro vibe.
The most popular options, however, are made of sterling silver. Silver is a precious metal that ensures a sense of nobility and worthiness. While carrying these qualities, it is affordable to anyone and even a really massive ring wouldn’t require you to break the bank. Besides, sterling silver is really durable to cope with all the rigors of the biker lifestyle. Finally, the pallid metal goes well with chrome motorcycle parts.
Bikers are not particularly fond of gold. Perhaps, it is because it carries the sense of luxury that is alien to the motorcycle community. Some rings would feature design elements made of gold but it is unlikely to spot a full-gold biker look.
Steel is the worthy competition for silver in terms of frequency of appearance in a biker wardrobe. Steel looks as bold as silver but it requires much less TLC. It doesn’t tarnish, it is hardly possible to bend or break it. Plus, steel is a super affordable option.
Symbolism in Biker Rings
Of all the reasons why we love biker rings, symbolism stands out the most. Bikers are among the few subcultures that dare to flaunt skulls, skeletons, and Grim Reapers on their rings. Well, for motorcyclists, a skull isn’t a representation of death. Rather, it is protection against death.
Other images and symbol worthy of note are Iron Crosses (they clearly refer to the military past of the very first bikers who fought against those wearing those crosses), wings, flames, eagles, Indians, 1% signs, motorcycle club names and emblems, motorcycles and their parts, etc.
Bikers are quite liberal regarding the use of symbols. After all, they borrowed a lot of images and symbols from other cultures. You, too, can create your own symbol, give it a certain meaning, and cast it in silver or steel. This is how biker culture evolves in front of our eyes.
