This paper presents a model of the interaction between a ring shaped high temperature superconductor (HTS) and a permanent magnet (PM), using the frozen image approach. The levitation configuration of a ring permanent magnet inside a ring HTS resembles the radial type bearings found in many machine systems. The dynamical behaviour of the PM–HTS bearing mostly depends on the stiffness of the levitation. For the proposed PM–HTS configuration, the stiffness is computed on the basis of a magnetic potential obtained with a frozen image concept. The variation of the stiffness is analysed for angular and translational movements.