How To Solve a Ring Puzzle

Puzzle rings originated in Turkey and usually come in four band and six band styles. They are beautiful pieces of jewelry but can be very frustrating if you’ve never learned the secret of putting one back together. When the ring is taken apart to clean, it’s easy to think those four separate but linked bands will never become one again. The best way to avoid this problem is to have the jewelry store clerk instruct you in the reassembly when you buy the ring. But if you didn’t know to do that or if you have forgotten the solution, keep reading to learn how to solve the secret of the four band puzzle ring.

1. First, look closely at the individual rings. Find the two rings with the crooked design. The remaining two rings will have a characteristic V shape. Those V shaped rings will be the ones you work with first. Hold the V’s together to form a diamond shape. The tips of the V’s will be pointing left and right while the remaining crooked rings will be left loose, dangling below.
2. Second, rotate the dangling rings so both crooked edges are on top, but still hanging from the bottom of the V rings. Cross the crooked edges to form a kind of X shape over the bottom of the V rings. Be sure they are positioned correctly because this is an important step.
3. Third, while firmly holding the V rings together, take the crooked ring that is in the outside position, the ring that is lower than the other, and twist it until the two dangling rings have come together to form a figure eight. This twist will have the V rings threaded through the figure eight holes.
4. Fourth, take either one of the V rings and rotate it until the point of the V is upside down and under the figure eight. Then lower that V ring until it fits exactly into the two crooked rings.
5. Fifth, rotate the remaining V ring so its point is in the appropriate position below the figure eight. Now lower the ring to fit into the first three bands. After this is done, the puzzle is solved and those four separate bands are once again reassembled into one beautiful interwoven piece of jewelry. You might want to consider printing these instructions and tucking them away in your jewelry box for the next time you clean your ring.