Carved jade archer’s rings, one with jade case, 19th-20th c.
The two green rings are jadeite, the others nephrite
(courtesy Eldred’s Auction Gallery)

Qing dynasty ivory rings, one with silver liner
(top row University of Missouri Anthropology Museum;
bottom row Special Collections/Musselman Library, Gettysburg College)

Jade rings: top row Burmese jadeite, bottom row nephrite (author’s collection)

Earliest known archer’s ring, nephrite jade, excavated from tomb of Fu Hao (1250 BC)

Two early agate archer’s rings with projecting tooth
Warring States period (left), Han dynasty (right)
(University of Missouri Anthropology Museum)

Iron ring with silver inlay and remnants of gold, ca. 13th c. (two views)
silver and enamel ring, 18th c.
(University of Missouri Anthropology Museum)

Two Mughal jade archer’s rings inlaid with gold and precious gems, India, 17th c.
(Susan Ollemans Oriental Art (left), British Museum (right))

Two Peking glass rings
one inscribed “When the sun sets and the moon rises,  clusters cast shadows; when rain stops and wind ceases,  bamboo regains silence. Be content with one’s lot.”  (20th c.)
Another 18th c. overlay glass.
(University of Missouri Anthropology Museum)

Magnificent Imperial set of seven archer’s rings and case, Qianlong
(Courtesy Sotheby’s Hong Kong)

Carved hardstone rings: jade (left), 3 agate rings, amber (right)
(University of Missouri Anthropology Museum)

Nephrite ring in form of a Lian
The two halves of the ring are loose but interlocked and inseparable, all carved from one piece
(author’s collection)

Thumb ring of compressed, powdered sandalwood with silver lining. Silk lined pewter case. 19th- 20th c.
(University of Missouri Anthropology Museum)

Chinese objects incorporating thumb rings:
calligraphy brush (courtesy Great Stuff by Paul Antiques),
toothpick holder, Chinese charcoal-fired iron with jade handle

Read "Chinese Thumb Rings: From Battlefield to Jewelry Box" by Eric J. Hoffman at http://www.asianart.com/articles/rings/index.html#14