They say championships last forever. Perhaps that is why sports franchises give those who win them diamond rings. But these diamond rings are not your normal everyday diamond rings. They give new meaning to the words "opulent" and "ostentatious."
Here are some examples of the most memorable championship rings in sports history.
1. 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers
There are a lot of things that make these rings so special. They look like engagement rings on steroids.
These 14-karat gold rings weigh more than 3.5 ounces and have been personalized with each player's number and name. But what really jumps out at you are the 6 diamonds that commemorate the team's 6 titles and the 63 round diamonds that surround them.
2. 2008 New York Giants
Just one year before the Steelers' rings, the Giants made a statement with their own rings. These rings look far more diamond than ring. They cover the entire ring.
Like with the Steelers, they make mention of the franchise's total number of championships at that point of time, and this, too, is diamond encrusted.
3. 2009 Los Angeles Lakers
These rings represented a return to glory for a legendary basketball franchise that had suffered some lean years.
It would be difficult for a normal person to count all the diamonds on the face of this monster ring. What's more, the gold team logo raised on top of the diamonds only accentuates its opulence.
4. 2008 Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies had gone almost 30 years without a championship when they finally won in 2008, and the team decided to go all out on the rings. They even managed to shape diamonds into the team's logo, and there are plenty of diamonds around it as well.
5. 2004 Tampa Bay Lightning
Most people do not associate hockey with Tampa Bay, but you would never know it by looking at this incredible ring.
It flawlessly incorporates a diamond-encrusted Stanley Cup and the team's logo, making them seem natural together, and the numerous diamonds surrounding them only complements this.
6. 2000 St. Louis Rams
The Rams back then were known as "The Greatest Show on Turf," and their rings were an extension of this.
Diamond-shaped football motifs are abundant on this ring. It can actually be tricky to count how many of them there are on it, and this is because they are surrounded by so many diamonds.
7. 2007 Indianapolis Colts
Unlike some other teams, the Colts didn't try to shape their logo with diamonds. But this is just about the only thing on the face of this ring that is not made out of diamonds. It is so packed with diamonds that it is difficult to tell where one ends and another begins.
8. 2004 New England Patriots
The Patriots have won many championships during their current dynastic reign, but the rings from their 2004 title are the ones that really stand out.
They managed to shape this ring into a football, and there are diamonds everywhere. This includes in the team's logo, the footballs and throughout all the text.
