Gemel Ring

This glossary entry has not yet been updated and is under review.

The same as gimmel ring, the term 'gimmel' being generally applied today by writers and jewellers (but not dictionaries) to a twin finger ring.The word 'gimmel' is, according to the Oxford English dictionary, an 'altered form' of 'gemel' which is derived from the Latin gemellus, the diminutive of geminus, twin (just as the name of thezodiacal sign Gemini is derived from geminus). The spelling 'gimmal' (but not 'gimmel') is the spelling listed in the Oxford English dictionary, in Chamber's dictionary (1973), and in Webster'sdictionary, as the alternative to 'gemel'. Hence 'gemel' would appear to be historically and etymologically the correct term, but as 'gimmel' has the sanction of widespread usage, it must nowbe accepted to designate finger rings of this type (as it is for other appliances made of two joined rings, e.g. a horse bit).

Explanation on gemel ring by Adin antique jewelry
Adin Academy

Gemel Ring

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The same as gimmel ring, the term 'gimmel' being generally applied today by writers and jewellers (but not dictionaries) to a twin finger ring.The word 'gimmel' is, according to the Oxford English dictionary, an 'altered form' of 'gemel' which is derived from the Latin gemellus, the diminutive of geminus, twin (just as the name of thezodiacal sign Gemini is derived from geminus). The spelling 'gimmal' (but not 'gimmel') is the spelling listed in the Oxford English dictionary, in Chamber's dictionary (1973), and in Webster'sdictionary, as the alternative to 'gemel'. Hence 'gemel' would appear to be historically and etymologically the correct term, but as 'gimmel' has the sanction of widespread usage, it must nowbe accepted to designate finger rings of this type (as it is for other appliances made of two joined rings, e.g. a horse bit).

Also known as:

References

From: An Illustrated Dictionary of Jewelry, autor: Harold Newman, publishers: Thames and Hudson