Where Presence Comes Before Profiles
A subtle signal for people open to connection
What is it?
The Open Ring is a symbol for people exploring connection beyond default expectations as part of a growing culture that recognizes the value of relational diversity. It is worn to invite conversation between people who believe relationships don’t have to follow a single script. Some are in partnerships that allow emotional or physical intimacy with others. Some want relationships that grow slowly. Some want brief encounters. What they share is a willingness to approach connection with curiosity, honesty, and clear agreements. Whether partnered, single, or solo, The Open Ring is about exploring connection without assuming exclusivity. It begins as a simple analog cue in the real world, the first layer of a system designed designed to support connection and relationship design over time.
How does it work?
The Open Ring is worn on the left ring finger, the place people instinctively look when wondering about someone’s relationship status. But the ring is intentionally distinct from a wedding band. If you are married and in an open relationship, the design allows the ring to sit comfortably at the knuckle, so it can be worn alongside a wedding band rather than replacing it. Over time, as more people wear the ring, recognition and community grows. A small signal becomes a shared language. Participants begin finding each other in the real world – not through algorithms, but through presence.
About the ring
The Open Ring was originally conceived by Nichole Barnes, who envisioned its three-opening form as a symbol of expansive connection. The final sculptural expression was developed in collaboration with Colorado artist Christopher Owen Nelson, whose aesthetic interpretation gave the ring its distinctive style. The result is a subtle form designed to be recognizable without announcing itself, a quiet signal worn in plain sight.
Join the early participant list
The Open Ring will begin with a limited first release, analog only. Even a small number of people willing to wear and notice the ring can make the symbol recognizable in the real world. If this idea resonates with you, we invite you to join the early participant list. You’ll receive updates as the first rings become available and as the project evolves. Together, we can begin building a shared language of openness and connection.
FAQ
What does the Open Ring mean?
The Open Ring is worn as a subtle symbol of openness to connection. It invites respectful conversation between people who believe relationships can be shaped through curiosity, honesty, and clear agreements.
Why this ring specifically? Couldn’t I wear something similar?
Rings with similar forms exist, and you’re always free to wear what feels right to you, but The Open Ring is designed as a shared signal, one that becomes meaningful through the people who choose to wear it and recognize it in the world. Each ring is purchased digitally and connected to a unique participant identity that will, over time, link to a broader Open Ring experience. This allows moments of recognition in the real world to continue as intentional, consent-based connection.
Wearing a similar ring may express something personally, but it won’t connect you into this shared layer of participation.
The meaning of the ring is not just in its shape, it’s in the network of people who choose to be part of it.
Is this only for people in open or non-monogamous relationships?
The project begins with communities already exploring forms of non-monogamy because they are leading conversations about relational design. However, the idea behind the ring is broader: relationships can be shaped intentionally rather than assumed by default.
Will there be an app?
The Open Ring begins in the real world.
A second layer is being developed to support what starts there. It helps participants find each other more easily through proximity, form a secure digital connection with messaging, and continue from there.
Access to that layer will be tied to ownership of the ring, helping ensure interactions remain grounded in real-world presence.
Is this a hookup signal?
No. The ring is not meant to signal casual encounters or transactional dating. It simply opens the door for respectful conversation between people who are open to connection. What happens beyond that conversation is always up to the individuals involved.
Why is the ring worn on the left ring finger & do I have to wear it that way?
People instinctively look at the left ring finger when wondering about someone’s relationship status. Participants are encouraged to wear the ring on the left ring finger because that placement allows the symbol to work socially and be easily recognizable. The Open Ring can also be worn at the knuckle above their wedding ring rather than replacing it. You don’t have to do it this way, but it becomes a significantly less effective cue if you don’t.
The Open Ring begins in the real world.
A second layer is being developed to support what starts there, helping participants find each other more easily through proximity features, safely exchange contact information, and continue connection over time.
Access to that layer will be tied to the ring itself, helping ensure interactions remain grounded in real-world presence.
When will the rings be available?
The first production run is currently being finalized. Early participants will be notified as soon as the first rings become available.
What material is the ring made from?
The Open Ring is made from 316L surgical-grade stainless steel, a highly durable and skin-safe metal commonly used in medical applications. It was chosen for its strength, corrosion resistance, comfort for everyday wear and low environmental impact. To create the brushed gold finish, the ring is coated using PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition), a modern and environmentally friendly process that bonds a thin layer of metal to the surface, producing a finish that is far more durable than traditional plating.
The first finishes offered will be polished stainless steel & brushed gold (PVD finish).