SWEET SUMMER SOLSTICE FRIENDS! 

The days are longer, the air is warmer, and there is a faint smell of chlorine in the air....it must be summer! As we welcome the season of sunshine and warmth, it's time to update our jewelry collection with some bright and cheerful pieces. What better way to celebrate the summer solstice than with some sunny-hued rings? From vibrant yellows to warm oranges, we've rounded up our five favorite rings that are sure to add a pop of color to your summer wardrobe. But before we get to the bling, let's go over what exactly the summer solstice is.

WHAT IS THE SUMMER SOLSTICE?

The summer solstice, also known as the June solstice, Estival solstice, or midsummer's day, is an astrological event when one of the Earth's poles is tilted as far as it can lean toward the sun. As a result, in the Northern Hemisphere, the summer solstice also marks the longest period of daylight and shortest night in the year making it the perfect opportunity for you to work on your tan. Conversely, the Southern Hemisphere experiences the longest night and shortest day of the year.

The June Solstice marks the first day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, and it usually occurs on June 20th or 21st, depending on the year. This year, the summer solstice occurs June 21st, and the earth's tilt will be at its maximum at 10:58 AM EDT.

People that live close to the Earth's poles during this time may want to invest in room-darkening shades as the sun will not set thanks to a phenomenon known as the "Midnight Sun". Take advantage of that sun though! During the December Solstice the sun is known to not rise resulting in 24 hours of darkness.

HOW DID ANCIENT CULTURES CELEBRATE THE SUMMER SOLSTICE?

The summer solstice has historically been an important day of the year for many cultures and religions.

ANCIENT GREECE

Ancient Greeks celebrated the summer solstice with various festivals and rituals, such as Kronia, a harvest festival in honor of the god Cronus. During Kronia, the social order of ancient Greek society was upended, with slaves taking part in the festivities and even being served by their masters. In addition, the summer solstice marked the one-month countdown to the opening of the Olympic games, which were held in Olympia as a tribute to the god Zeus. The Ancient Greeks also believed that the summer solstice marked the start of the New Year, according to some of their calendar.

CELTIC IRELAND

Ancient Ireland had a deep connection to the summer solstice and celebrated it through various customs and rituals. The Celts used "Natural Time" to determine the seasons, taking their lead from the solstices and equinoxes. One of the most famous ancient sites in Ireland, Newgrange, is aligned with the rising sun at the summer solstice, and the light enters a passage to illuminate the inner chamber. This event is celebrated by people today, with a lottery system in place to allow people to witness the event in person. Additionally, the ancient Irish celebrated the summer solstice with bonfires, feasts, and offerings to the gods.

ANCIENT CHINA

The ancient Chinese celebrated the summer solstice with a ceremony to honor the earth, femininity, and the force known as yin. This complemented the winter solstice ritual, which was focused on masculinity and the force of yang. The ancient Chinese believed that the summer solstice marked the beginning of the fire season and the time when the yang energy was at its peak[2]. They also believed that the summer solstice was a time of transformation when the energy of the sun could be harnessed to promote growth, abundance, and vitality

HOW IS THE SUMMER SOLSTICE CELEBRATED TODAY?

Today, many cultures continue to celebrate the summer solstice in a variety of ways.

FESTIVALS AND GATHERINGS

In England, thousands of people gather at Stonehenge to watch the sunrise and celebrate the solstice. In Sweden and other Scandinavian countries, the solstice is celebrated with Midsummer festivals, which include dancing around a maypole, feasting, and lighting bonfires. In Brazil, the Festa Junina is a celebration that takes place around the solstice and includes traditional food, music, and dancing. In Alaska, the solstice is celebrated with the Midnight Sun Baseball Game, where players compete in the middle of the night under the light of the sun.

SPIRITUAL PRACTICES

The summer solstice is a time when people around the world engage in various spiritual practices that reflect their cultural and spiritual beliefs. Many of these practices are centered around the sun, which is at its highest point in the sky on the solstice. One common practice is to light bonfires, which symbolize the power and energy of the sun and are believed to ward off evil spirits.

In some cultures, people perform rituals to honor the sun and ask for its blessings, while others use the solstice as an opportunity to meditate and connect with nature. For many spiritual practitioners, the solstice is a time of transformation, when the energy of the sun can be harnessed to promote growth, abundance, and vitality.

OUR 5 FAVORITE SUMMER SOLSTICE SHADED ENGAGEMENT RINGS

Now that we've gone over what makes the summer solstice so special, let's take a look at some of our favorite engagement rings that are perfect for celebrating this special day.

NAPLES OREGON SUNSTONE TRIO RING

Sunstones feature prominently on our list of engagement rings that perfectly capture the essence of the summer solstice. Why? Historically, they are believed to be imbued with the energy of the sun. Sunstones are associated with vitality, abundance, and creativity, making them a perfect choice for a summer solstice-inspired piece of jewelry.

Our Naples Oregon Sunstone Trio Ring perfectly applies the warm and golden tones of the sunstone to evoke the warmth and light of the sun. The unique, organic shape of the faceted stones reflects the beauty of the natural world. We like this ring paired with romantic rose gold or yellow gold but it is equally at home within a white gold or platinum setting. Whatever metal you choose, the warm and cheery hues of the three sunstones are sure to delight your senses and add undeniable light to your life.

SHOP THE NAPLES OREGON SUNSTONE TRIO RING

THALIA OREGON SUNSTONE SOLITAIRE RING

Go for big and bold colors with our Thalia Oregon Sunstone Solitaire Ring. Like a fiery setting sun, the center-faceted stone dazzles in a stunning blend of orange and pink hues.

The delicate setting, available in yellow, rose, or white gold and platinum, has been crafted from a real foraged twig and thoughtfully combines the romantic whirls and budded detail into the ring as nature intended. Simple yet elegant, the band allows the beauty of the sunstone to shine through.

Overall, the Thalia Oregon Sunstone Solitaire Ring perfectly captures the essence of a sunset with its bold colors, unique design, and the energy of the orangey-pink sunstone.

SHOP THE THALIA OREGON SUNSTONE SOLITAIRE RING

DEMI NAPLES OREGON SUNSTONE SOLITAIRE RING

Celebrate the longest day of the year in style with our Demi Naples Oregon Sunstone Solitaire Ring. This stunning ring features a faceted, round-brilliant Oregon sunstone in a brilliant shade of peach and a smooth and sensual band that is comfortable enough for everyday wear.

Much like the sun, sunstones are believed to bring joy and pleasure to its wearer in addition to inspiring creativity, self-confidence and happiness. This beautiful ring is perfect for celebrating the longest day of the year in style!

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FAYLIN MORGANITE SOLITAIRE RING

If you love the sunny disposition of the sunstone but are looking for a more pink color, look no further than morganite. This gemstone is a beautiful alternative that perfectly pays homage to summer and is an excellent choice for an engagement ring. The Faylin Morganite Solitaire Ring features a stunning, faceted morganite gemstone in a soft pink hue that evokes the warmth and light of the summer sun.

The interwoven twig bands that hold the gemstone represent the interweaving of two lives and the daily joy that each partner brings to the relationship. The ring's organic and unique design reflects nature's beauty and energy, making it a perfect choice for those who love the outdoors and the natural world. Overall, the Faylin Morganite Solitaire Ring is a stunning and meaningful choice for an engagement ring that celebrates the beauty of love and the summer season.

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NAPLES MORGANITE HALO RING

In Svalbard, a tiny Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean, the Midnight Sun arrives in late May and doesn’t leave until late August. During this time, there is no sunset and no darkness at all. And there's no better conjuring of the Midnight Sun then our Naples Morganite Halo Ring.

Like a constant sun, the peachy-pink hues of the morganite stone shine while six melee diamonds glitter and gleam in a delicate halo around it. As both a reminder of the beauty of the midnight sun and a celebration of the love you share together, the Naples Morganite Halo is destined to become a treasured piece of your jewelry collection.

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FIND YOUR PERFECT RING AT OLIVIA EWING JEWELRY

Celebrate the summer solstice in style with an engagement ring from Olivia Ewing Jewelry. Our collection of unique and stunning rings perfectly captures the essence of the summer season. From the warm, golden tones of the sunstone to the soft pink hues of the morganite, our gemstones evoke the warmth and light of the sun. Our organic and unique designs reflect the beauty and energy of nature, making them a perfect choice for those who love the outdoors. Whether you prefer a simple and elegant solitaire ring or a more intricate design, we have the perfect ring to symbolize your love and commitment this summer solstice.

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