The complete archive of Hard Times, the King Rings newsletter.
New product launches, Ring of the Month features, Reserve releases, sizing advice, company updates, and the occasional questionable decision that somehow worked out. SIGN UP HERE.
2026
July 2026
Hammered Rose, Natural Selection Reserve, 44mm limited pieces, tungsten supply
Hammered Rose returns to the spotlight as Ring of the Month, pairing its faceted copper-and-gold finish with polished black tungsten. This issue also features Natural Selection, a one-of-a-kind 48mm Reserve piece built with crushed malachite in polished tungsten carbide, calls out low remaining inventory in select 44mm limited pieces, and includes Scott’s personal note on tungsten supply, rising material pressure, and why King Rings is not switching to steel.
June 2026
Cosmos, Island Wood, The Reserve 56mm, updated sizing guides
Cosmos joined the catalog as a single-batch ring style with Starlight and Nebula variants inspired by the night sky. This issue also features Island Wood as Ring of the Month, a 56mm yacht-club-worthy Reserve piece, revised Sizing Process and Fitting Guide resources, personal notes on product photography, and a featured Tempest review.
May 2026
Flash, The Reserve, design accidents, Redline review
Flash takes center stage as Ring of the Month, while The Reserve offers a one-off tungsten piece with gold shoulders and a shifting band of color. Scott reflects on the value of leaving room for unexpected outcomes in design and production, and Benjo’s Redline review closes the issue.
April 2026
Thunder Rose, Rainbow PVD Reserve pieces, Reserve entry process
Thunder Rose is featured as Ring of the Month, with a closer look at its rose-gold finish, stainless construction, and masculine structure. The Reserve introduces three rainbow PVD tungsten glans rings and a new entry-based allocation process designed to give subscribers a fairer shot at limited pieces.
March 2026
Sea Dragon, Red Soul, Lucky, stigma and pride
Sea Dragon is March’s Ring of the Month, praised for its deep blue inlay, controlled power, and refined presence. This issue also introduces Red Soul in The Reserve, brings Lucky into the catalog for a seasonal St. Patrick’s Day run, and includes Scott’s personal note on stigma, discretion, and pride.
February 2026
Black Rose, The Reserve, Lucky giveaway, durability
Black Rose steps into the Ring of the Month spotlight with its matte-black exterior, rose-gold interior, and quiet authority. The Reserve is introduced as a place for one-offs and limited extras, February’s Lucky promotion offers a free seasonal ring with qualifying purchases, and Scott reflects on durable products and the customer messages that make the work personal.
Read February 2026 Newsletter →
January 2026
Celtic Band, new sizes, The Reserve, 2026 outlook
The new monthly format begins with Celtic Band as January’s Ring of the Month and early subscriber access to The Reserve. This issue also announces GOLIATH Ocean in 56mm, new 42mm options for Island Wood, True Blue, and Blue Horizon, previews coming styles, and includes Scott’s note on customer care, rising costs, and keeping King Rings independent.
Read January 2026 Newsletter →
2025
October 2025
Fairway, Twilight Edition, Teeny Tiny GOLIATH, gift packs, velvet pouches
Fairway debuts with brushed tungsten, 18k gold edges, a vivid green groove, and a limited Twilight Edition produced by happy accident. The issue also introduces Teeny Tiny GOLIATH rings in Ocean Blue and Midnight Black, highlights gift packs for the approaching holiday season, and announces upgraded velvet pouches.
Read October 2025 Newsletter →
June 2025
Halo, new Slim glans finishes, 42mm expansion, referral offer
Halo debuts as a tungsten carbide glans ring in yellow gold, rose gold, and ocean blue, joined by new Slim glans rings in Ocean and Rose Gold. The 42mm catalog expands with Hammered Rose, Woody, and Black Rose, and a Pass It On referral offer rewards customers who share sizing kits with friends.
April 2025
Spectra returns, Teeny Tiny Spectra and Redline, Lucky revealed, tariff update
Spectra returns after years away from the catalog, now with the rainbow PVD quality originally intended for the style. This issue also introduces Teeny Tiny Spectra and Teeny Tiny Redline, reveals Lucky as the former Mystery Ring, and includes Scott’s detailed note on China manufacturing, tungsten supply, tariffs, and the decision to avoid price hikes or surcharges through year-end.
February 2025
Emerald Dragon, free Mystery Ring offer
Emerald Dragon joins the catalog as a production version inspired by a one-of-a-kind auction piece from years earlier. February’s offer gives qualifying customers a free mystery tungsten carbide ring, while the featured review praises Father of Pearl and the concierge-level customer service behind the purchase.
Read February 2025 Newsletter →
2024
November 2024
Wolfram, Redline return, Black Friday, 2024 recap
Wolfram debuts in Midnight Black and Gun Metal with a name rooted in tungsten’s history and a finish made possible by modern PVD technology. Redline returns from retirement, Black Friday brings Midnight-color discounts and free leather pouches, and the issue recaps a major year that included Envy, GOLIATH colorways, Trinity, Ravenwood, Slim glans rings, Shaft Weights, 42mm c-rings, and 22mm glans rings.
Read November 2024 Newsletter →
October 2024
Father of Pearl Slims, GOLIATH color trio, new sizes, Rose Dragon surprise
Father of Pearl and Father of Pearl Midnight join the Slim glans lineup, while GOLIATH expands with Ocean and Midnight color options. This issue also adds Father of Pearl Midnight in 42mm, Sea Dragon and Celtic Band glans rings in 22mm, GOLIATH Brushed in 56mm, and a surprise small batch of Rose Dragon.
Read October 2024 Newsletter →
August 2024
Envy, matching ring set, Fire Dragon sale, Teeny Tiny sale
Envy debuts as a complete matching set from day one: c-ring, Wide and Slim glans rings, and Teeny Tiny finger ring, all built around crushed malachite inlay. The issue also features a Fire Dragon clearance sale, a holiday-weekend Teeny Tiny sale, and Scott’s note about naming new styles, including one rejected tagline that wisely stayed off the website.
August 2024
Celtic Band Slim, Sea Dragon Slim, glans ring weekend deal
Celtic Band Slim and Sea Dragon Slim join the glans ring catalog, adding sleeker profiles and introducing 22mm sizing for both styles. A subscriber-only birthday weekend offer adds a complimentary leather pouch with any qualifying glans ring purchase, while Scott previews a coming increase in newsletter frequency and catalog growth.
June 2024
Ravenwood, BOGO Teeny Tiny Ravenwood, business move
Ravenwood finally arrives after years of production challenges, combining polished and brushed tungsten carbide with natural wood inlay. Subscribers receive a short-time BOGO-style offer for a complimentary Teeny Tiny Ravenwood, while Scott shares notes on the business move, incoming products, and early feedback on Slim glans rings.
March 2024
Trinity, Shaft Weights, moving update, TSA story
Trinity debuts after more than three years in development, showcasing a three-color tungsten carbide design with contrasting mirror and brushed finishes. The issue also introduces solid tungsten carbide Shaft Weights, offers a Trinity Teeny Tiny promotion, and includes Scott’s story about sending 35 pounds of rings through airport security.
January 2024
Slim glans rings, redesigned pouches, stainless steel pouch offer
The Slim glans ring line launches with Achromic, Midnight, and 18kt Yellow Gold, offering a lighter profile without abandoning tungsten carbide weight and quality. This issue also announces redesigned glans ring pouches and a subscriber offer adding a free leather pouch with Thunder or Tempest.
Read January 2024 Newsletter →
2023
October 2023
Oddballs & Seconds Round Two, free glans ring pouches
Oddballs & Seconds returns for a second round, offering oddball rings, B-quality pieces, scratch-and-dent treasure, and one-of-a-kind items at deep discounts. The issue also includes a free leather pouch offer for all glans rings purchased during October while supplies last.
Read October 2023 Newsletter →
August 2023
Blue Horizon set deal, free glans pouches, Oddballs & Seconds Round One
August Part 2 focuses on deals and hard bargains, including a newsletter-exclusive Blue Horizon c-ring and Teeny Tiny set discount. It also launches the first round of Oddballs & Seconds and offers free natural leather pouches with qualifying glans ring purchases.
August 2023
Fire Dragon, 22mm Achromic glans ring, larger GOLIATH sizes
Fire Dragon arrives as a limited one-time batch made from reworked Father of Pearl rings, with a fiery red inlay and no plans for restock. This issue also introduces the first 22mm Achromic glans ring, expands GOLIATH into 56mm and 58mm, and teases Oddballs & Seconds and coming August deals.
June 2023
Rose Dragon encore, Savage Rose encore, Hammered Rose final restock
Retired favorites briefly return in an encore issue featuring the last pieces of Rose Dragon, an alternate-arrow batch of Savage Rose, and an 18-month-in-the-making Hammered Rose restock. Scott also previews 22mm glans rings, larger GOLIATH sizes, Fire Dragon, and Oddballs & Seconds, while giving a special shout-out to longtime customer Dan and his remarkable collection.
May 2023
Teeny Tiny Flash, Teeny Tiny GOLIATH, safer sizing rings
Teeny Tiny Flash, Teeny Tiny GOLIATH, and Teeny Tiny GOLIATH Brushed join the catalog as matching finger-ring companions to popular c-ring styles. This issue also announces the engineered breakaway feature in King Rings sizing rings, free glans ring pouches for May, and Scott’s five-year reflection on leaving software development to build King Rings full time.
January 2023
Woody Glans, Father of Pearl Glans, Father of Pearl Midnight Glans, January recap
The January release series concludes with three new tungsten carbide glans rings: Woody, Father of Pearl, and Father of Pearl Midnight. The issue recaps eight new ring styles released in the month, adds 42mm GOLIATH sizing, announces a pullover sale, and notes an upcoming out-of-office period.
Read January 2023 Newsletter →
January 2023
GOLIATH, GOLIATH Brushed, Flash
The second January announcement introduces GOLIATH, GOLIATH Brushed, and Flash. GOLIATH brings extraordinary tungsten weight to a deceptively simple design, GOLIATH Brushed refines the look without giving up the mass, and Flash adds hand-cut facets with understated masculine brilliance.
Read January 2023 Newsletter →
January 2023
Celtic Band Glans, Sea Dragon Glans, sizing offer, website updates
The first January issue opens a three-part release series with Celtic Band Glans and Sea Dragon Glans. It also covers website updates, a better Sizing Rings offer, the end of auctions, renewed attention to Secondhand Products, and a reminder that 2023 would bring a large wave of new styles.
Read January 2023 Newsletter →
2022
October 2022
King’s Pullover, Sea Dragon giveaway, non-branded Gift Pack
This subscriber-focused issue announces a limited King’s Pullover logo shirt, a coming Twitter giveaway for Sea Dragon, and a non-branded Gift Pack option for discreet gifting. Scott also shares notes on discovering metal c-rings years earlier, inventory strength, and an upcoming out-of-office period.
Read October 2022 Newsletter →
July 2022
Teeny Tiny Tempest, Rose Dragon clearance, Spectra last ring, GOLIATH sneak peek
July’s second issue emphasizes price stability while offering Teeny Tiny Tempest, Rose Dragon finger-ring clearance, the final Spectra ring at a discount, and remaining Rose Dragon inventory. It also notes more Hammered Rose on the way, an upcoming out-of-office period, and a first sneak peek at GOLIATH.
July 2022
Thunder flash sale, Teeny Tiny Blue Horizon, custom jewelry boxes
A light July issue announces a Thunder flash sale with a free leather pouch, introduces Teeny Tiny Blue Horizon, and previews Teeny Tiny Tempest. It also highlights custom wood jewelry boxes created for King Rings products and reminds subscribers about the underused Secondhand Products page.
May 2022
Teeny Tiny Thunder and Hammered Rose, Savage Rose retirement, improved engravings
Teeny Tiny Thunder and Teeny Tiny Hammered Rose arrive, and the Teeny Tiny lineup expands down to US size 6. Savage Rose enters retirement with remaining stock on sale, glans rings receive free pouches for June, and improved size engravings make it easier to tell rings apart.
February 2022
Spectra, stainless steel sale, auctions, Pipeline, secondhand offer
Spectra appears as a Collector Series ring, joined by a stainless steel sale and several auction offerings, including a custom box, necklaces, and Pipeline. The issue also includes free leather in February, a secondhand sales offer, improved catalog filtering, and notes on incoming stock.
Read February 2022 Newsletter →
2021
October 2021
Blue Horizon, Rose Dragon, Teeny Tiny Woody, ring sets
Blue Horizon debuts as a bold new style, while Rose Dragon arrives as a limited edition one-time release with rose-gold Celtic dragon inlay. This issue also introduces Teeny Tiny Woody, coordinated ring sets, individual sizing rings for returning customers, and a customer sizing Q&A.
Read October 2021 Newsletter →
September 2021
Restocks, notifications, design misfires, auction beta
A large incoming shipment prompts a reminder to use restock notifications and to re-subscribe to alerts when popular sizes sell out again. Scott previews coming styles, discusses design misfires that became collectible limited pieces, opens the door to auction beta testers, and shares early reflections as King Rings approaches three years in business.
Read September 2021 Newsletter →
June 2021
Restocks, real-time notifications, FedEx and DHL shipping
This short inventory update covers restocked rings, the new real-time back-in-stock notification feature, and new FedEx domestic and DHL Express international shipping options. The issue also lists fresh restocks across Celtic Band, Father of Pearl Midnight, Island Wood, Sea Dragon, True Blue, Woody, and new 56mm sizing for Celtic Band and Island Wood.
May 2021
Gold Champ, Tempest, smaller Teeny Tiny rings, stainless steel pouch offer
Gold Champ returns with new sizes, and Tempest debuts as a stainless steel style with hammered texture and polished carved bands. This issue also adds smaller Teeny Tiny rings in US sizes 7–8, offers free leather pouches with stainless steel rings, lists new and restocked inventory, and promotes the NSFW Reddit community.
April 2021
Woods Collection special, improved sizing kit, Scott’s full-time note
An early archive issue features a Woods Collection subscriber special, new and restocked ring sizes, and an improved Sizing Rings kit that includes c-ring, glans, and finger sizing tools. Scott also notes that King Rings had become his full-time work, reflects on a rare four-star review, and features an Island Wood customer review.
January 2021
Sea Dragon 44mm & 58mm sizes, Celtic Band 52mm, leather pouch promotion, Father of Pearl transition, auction marketplace update
After a strong holiday season depleted inventory, King Rings expanded Sea Dragon into the full 44–58mm size range and added 52mm Celtic Band rings. The issue also offered complimentary leather pouches for newsletter readers, announced the retirement of the original Father of Pearl Classic in favor of the newer premium construction, provided an update on the delayed Auction Marketplace launch, and included a personal note from Scott about more than 1,000 rings on order and ambitious growth plans for the year ahead.
Read January 2021 Newsletter →
2020
December 2020
Copper Baron Auction, Holiday Sales, Year in Review
King Rings closed out 2020 with the debut of Copper Baron, a solid copper ring plated in 14kt rose gold and offered through the newly launched Auctions Market. The newsletter also highlighted holiday promotions on Thunder and Thunder Rose, discounted Gift Packs with festive sizing rings, and a look back at a year that saw the introduction of Glans Rings, expanded sizing options, Father of Pearl Midnight, Thunder, Teeny Tiny Rings, Collector Series auctions, leather pouches, and several experimental limited-run projects.
Read December 2020 Newsletter →
November 2020
2nd Anniversary Edition, Glans Ring Success, Auctions Preview
King Rings celebrated its second anniversary with a look back at rapid growth, record October sales, and the successful launch of Glans Rings. The newsletter introduced a month-long series of weekly promotions, announced the upcoming Auctions platform for one-of-a-kind collector pieces, previewed several unique prototype rings (including Emerald Dragon, Blue Wave, Triton, and Imperial Dragon), and shared Scott King’s reflections on the company’s journey from hobby project to a growing business poised for a breakout year.
Read November 2020 Newsletter →
October 2020
The Arrival of Glans Rings
King Rings officially launched its long-awaited Glans Ring collection, introducing a new category of heavy tungsten accessories designed to be worn behind the glans. The newsletter unveiled five initial styles, offered an introductory $25 discount, introduced matching leather storage pouches, expanded the sizing system with dedicated Glans Ring sizing rings, and highlighted a handful of hard-to-find customer favorites returning to inventory. Scott also shared a personal update on the company’s growth and plans for its upcoming second anniversary.
Read October 2020 Newsletter →
August 2020
Father of Pearl Midnight, Summer Sale, Redline Retirement, New Sizes
Father of Pearl Midnight made its debut alongside a storewide Summer Sale and a matching-ring promotion. The newsletter also announced the retirement of Redline, previewed the expansion into 52mm sizing, and offered special pricing on Teeny Tiny companion rings while sharing customer feedback on Black Rose and the growing importance of proper sizing.
July 2020
Thunder Rose Debut, 48mm Expansion, Refined Sizing System
King Rings introduced Thunder Rose, a 14kt rose gold-plated companion to the newly released Thunder, and celebrated the launch with a special matching-pair discount. The newsletter also marked a major milestone in the evolution of the sizing system with the introduction of 48mm rings, expanded sizing rings covering 44–58mm in 2mm increments, and the now-familiar “buy sizing rings, receive a larger store credit” program. Alongside new products and promotions, Scott shared a personal reflection on photography, entrepreneurship, and the story behind one of the store’s most iconic images.
June 2020
Thunder, 48mm Sizes, Pride & Glory, Free Priority Shipping
King Rings announced its strongest sales month to date and introduced Thunder, a handcrafted stainless steel design offering unprecedented 2mm size granularity from 44–56mm. The newsletter also marked the arrival of the first 48mm rings, featured the limited-edition Pride and Glory summer designs, and included a candid “Notes from Founder Scott King” section covering sizing, comfort, and life with King Rings.
May 2020
Stainless Steel Rings Preview, Woody Sale, Black Rose Restock, Finger Rings Coming
King Rings teased the upcoming launch of handcrafted stainless steel rings, including rose gold-plated variants, while offering deep discounts on Woody and restocking the hard-to-find Black Rose. The newsletter also previewed matching finger rings, introduced free USPS Priority Mail upgrades for subscribers, and shared an ambitious roadmap that included new styles, 48mm sizing, glans rings, collector pieces, and premium ring boxes.
March 2020
50mm Dragon Rings Launch, Hardwood Sale, Men’s Health Feature, Brand Milestones
King Rings announced the long-awaited arrival of 50mm Knight Dragon and Sea Dragon rings, highlighted a sale on hardwood inlay styles, and celebrated recognition from Men’s Health, which called King Rings a luxury-worthy splurge. The newsletter also shared company milestones, including customer loyalty statistics, worldwide growth, and plans for new styles, finger rings, glans rings, collector pieces, and expanded sizing options.
2019
December 2019
Holiday Sale, Father of Pearl Award Nomination, Gift Packs, First Anniversary
King Rings celebrated the holiday season with discounts of up to 40%, promoted its popular Gift Packs, and announced that Father of Pearl had been nominated for the 2019 AVN “O” Award for Outstanding Non-Powered Product. The newsletter also marked King Rings’ first business anniversary, introduced its new Flickr presence, and highlighted growing customer loyalty, international reach, and an enthusiastic Father of Pearl review.
Read December 2019 Newsletter →
October 2019
New Sizes, Woody Debut, Second Supplier, Hardwood Sale, Private Finger Rings
King Rings expanded inventory with new 46mm and 58mm sizes, introduced Woody, the company’s first hardwood-inlaid design, and announced the successful onboarding of a second jewelry supplier to help meet growing demand. The newsletter also featured a hardwood ring sale, a private offering of prototype finger rings for subscribers, and an update on the company’s rapid growth ahead of anticipated media exposure. Customer reviews, repeat-purchase statistics, and the approaching one-year anniversary highlighted the momentum behind the young brand.
Read October 2019 Newsletter →
September 2019
Supplier Transition, Inventory Expansion, Knight Dragon Restock, Rose Gold Sale, Customer Photo Community
King Rings provided a candid update on supplier challenges, explaining the transition away from its original jeweler while preparing for deliveries from a new supplier. The newsletter announced newly available sizes, the long-awaited return of the popular Knight Dragon, a limited-time Rose Gold sale, and the launch of a Reddit-based customer photo community. It also highlighted the company’s bootstrap growth strategy, family discounts for returning customers, and the importance of customer reviews in building confidence for first-time buyers.
Read September 2019 Newsletter →
June 2019
Knight Dragon Debut, New Designs & Sizes, Sizing Rings v2, Giveaway Winner
King Rings announced the arrival of three new ring designs, expanded inventory with new 46mm and 58mm sizes, and introduced Version 2 Sizing Rings featuring color-coded PLA construction and a revised sizing program. The newsletter also celebrated the success of the company’s first giveaway, introduced the striking new Knight Dragon design, and provided an honest update on supplier delays that were limiting inventory growth.
May 2019
Hammered Rose Giveaway, Tungsten Education, All-Day Wear, Sizing System
This newsletter centered on King Rings’ first major Hammered Rose giveaway, giving subscribers a chance to win a premium rose gold-plated ring while helping spread awareness of the young brand. Scott also featured educational articles explaining the benefits of tungsten carbide, the philosophy behind all-day ring wear, and the growing importance of the company’s sizing system as King Rings worked to establish itself in the market.
April 2019
Hardwood Ring Boxes, New Guy Discount, Upcoming Ring Designs, Sizing System
The first official King Rings newsletter introduced handcrafted hardwood ring boxes, promoted the brand’s new customer discount program, and teased the arrival of four new ring designs along with additional sizing options. The newsletter also highlighted the growing popularity of the Sizing Rings program, provided updates on custom finger ring orders, and shared an honest look at the marketing challenges facing the young company as it worked to build awareness and expand its audience.
