I have been trying to find out what "styles" and "finishes" the older rings came in. Searching Cushing and the library database resulted in nothing. I ask because I see many new Ags with the "natural" finish (bright gold, looks like gangster bling) then the argument comes up that "antiqued" is the newer one blah blah blah.
Just wondering how the ring and it's options have changed over the years.

Check with the Association of Former students. They maintain the Aggie Ring collection.

They used to apply a lacquer over the ring when it was made in two pieces - this made it more of the "rose" color.

I believe Balfour went to the one piece casting just prior to me ordering my ring, which was cast sometime in the summer of '98. This one-piece casting eliminated the need for the lacquer to protect the brazed top piece (from the base of the rope braid up) and plain natural gold color became an option. It is what I got. It "antiques" pretty quickly.

On a more obscure note, I noticed that when I replaced my ring that Balfour uses a different font for my name on the inside of the band.

My first ring was acquired in 93, and I got a new one last fall.

The Balfour factory in south Austin has a complete record of all the aggie rings. You should contact them and that should help you find what you want. The security at that place is pretty stringent because of all the gold, so don't expect to be able to walk in! :-)

When I ordered my ring in 1965, I was given a choice of either having "A&M College of Texas" or "Texas A&M University". I was told that my 1966 ring would be the last ring to have "college" available. I have always wondered if that ended up being correct, or just another story.

You are correct, sir. On the Ring order form, there is an option to request AMU or AMC, and the form states: "available only to '66 and before".

http://www.aggienetwork.com/ring/cs_ringform.pdf

If anyone has the time, I'd reccomend a visit to the Association of Former Students building; they have an extensive collection of Aggie Rings and even some Aggie Sweetheart rings from almost every year they were issued.

They also have rings from famous Ags as well (OR Simpson and Rudder come to mind if I remember correctly).

White Gold is an "off the menu" item. I have a friend who has one.

http://www.aggienetwork.com/ring/history.aspx

quote:

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1970’s - Rose and White Gold w/ Antique finishes become available to give students options beyond the Yellow Gold W/ Antique.

1972 - Balfour’s lifetime warranty for Rings available.

1998 - Rings are manufactured in a solid one piece design.

1998 - Natural finish becomes available.

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