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A signet ring is a jewellery ring steeped in history that dates back to ancient Egypt. The ring usually has a flat bezel that allows for engraving to make the piece more personal to the family or person who owns it.
- Seal Your Exceptional Style with A Signet Ring
- What Is A Signet Ring?
- The History of Signet Rings
- The Signet Ring Today
- Who Can Wear Signet Rings? You Can!
- The Benefits of Wearing A Signet Ring
- How to Wear A Signet Ring
- Contemporary Signet Ring Design
- Common Signet Ring Materials
- Common Signet Ring Styles
For thousands of years, men of influence have been donning a wearable form of identification and communication known as the signet ring. Today, this remarkable ring is a common style accessory that can be worn by any gentleman. How did this change take place? And how can you wear a signet ring as part of Classic Style today? That is exactly what th...
Understanding Exactly What a Signet Ring Is
Have you ever seen someone wearing a ring with a flat face and fancy engraving on it of something like a heraldic beast, a family coat of arms, or a similar symbol? If you have, then you have already seen a signet ring.
Signet Rings: A Wearable Signature
Signet rings have been a practical part of men’s fashion for thousands of years. For wealthy and important men, a signet ring was a powerful tool akin to a signature: the engravings on the ring were unique to the man who wore it, and if he used the face of the ring like a seal, he could stamp his symbol into ink, wax, clay, or similar surfaces, and in doing so leave a mark similar to the way that we sign documents today. A signet ring differs from other rings because of its engraved or raised...
In the Modern Age, Signet Rings Are a Classic Style Icon
Changes in how documents and correspondence are verified and safeguarded mean that signet rings are no longer needed as practical tools to verify or secure documents. The signet ring, however, remains one of the most common types of rings in menswear, thanks in no small part to its unique and fascinating history.
The Origins of Signet Rings: Seals as Signatures
Historically, signet rings played a significant role in business and politics. Functioning as a seal, a gentlemanwould use his ring featuring his unique family crest, emblem, or monogram to stamp important documents. By dipping the ring into hot wax or soft clay, the ring left a distinct seal that was considered, at the time, to be more official than that of a signature, and this impression helped to solidify the authenticity of the sealed document. For this reason, signet rings are sometimes...
Signet Rings as Security Devices
The wax or clay into which the impression was made was often placed in such a way as to effectively seal the documents or items on which they were impressed: for instance, over the flaps of a letter. If someone tampered with the item, they would have to literally break the seal, and because they did not have access to the original ring used to seal the item with an impression, they could not replicate the original seal and, therefore, could not hide the fact that the item had been opened. In...
Signet Rings Still Have a Place in Contemporary Menswear
In the 21st century, signet rings are only used to seal documents as a fun hobby, and very few people outside of select groups of nobles or royals employ them as symbols of aristocratic power or authority. They remain, however, a versatile and stylish option for men interested in wearing a greater variety of rings. However you choose to wear your signet ring, this unique article can be a great addition to your wardrobe and will always add charm and panache to any Classic outfit.
Signet Rings Have Become a Versatile Jewelry Option for All Men
Although originally associated with individual families, governments, or institutions, today, signet rings of all kinds can be worn by anyone. You do not have to be a nobleman yourself or a member of a particular family to wear a signet ring that depicts a particular crest or coat of arms. If you like the design of the British royal coat of arms, you should feel free to wear it, even if you are not a Windsor yourself. Likewise, if you see a signet ring with a lion or other animal that you enj...
It is a anique menswear accessory that adds visual interest to your hands, one of the most active parts of your body.It is a great conversation starterand a way to subtly tell others about your personality and interests.It is a simple and easy way to expand your usage of jewelry in a classic, traditional way.It is, along with a wedding or class ring, one of the most common rings in menswear.Although Conventions Exist, the Final Choice is Yours
Because signet rings have been worn for millennia and were such important aspects of multiple societies’ cultures and histories, many conventions, guidelines, and traditions have arisen about how they should be worn. Ultimately, however, how you choose to wear your signet ring is your choice. We provide the following information only so that you can be informed as you make your decision.
Traditional Fingers for the Wearing of Signet Rings
Historically, signet rings were usually worn on the index or middle finger because the seals on the faces of the rings were extremely large. During the Modern Era, signet rings shrank somewhat in size and were often worn on the ring fingers or the pinky fingers, with variable traditions based on geographic location.
How to Wear Multiple Rings
Along with a signet ring, you may find yourself wearing a wedding ring, a class ring, and perhaps even more rings. For a Classic look, you should consider wearing these rings in a balanced way that visually distributes them across your hands. For instance, rather than wearing rings on your pinky, ring, and index finger of your left hand, consider moving one or two rings to your right hand. Note also that a wristwatch, especially one with a metal bracelet, can visually balance out one or two r...
Although no longer used primarily to seal documents, the contemporary signet ring still closely resembles its historical ancestor. On the band, the signet ring features a flat face on which the seal would traditionally appear: nowadays, it is not uncommon to find signet rings with unadorned faces that lack any kind of seal. The face can be made fro...
Metals
Signet rings can be made in any material from which rings can be made, although traditionally, they were crafted from precious or semi-precious metals like gold or silver.
Stones
If a signet ring does not have a metallic face, it will usually have a face made from a precious or semi-precious stone. This choice is essentially an aesthetic one, and the common options include black onyx, blue lapis lazuli, green and red heliotrope, and red carnelian.
Face Shape
The most prominent feature of a signet ring will be its face shape. Historically, the following six face shapes were employed and have remained popular up to the present day: 1. Straight Oval: The most popular signet ring shape, partly because it is easy for the engraver to work. 2. Bulbous Oval: A heavier, more distinctive-looking oval that is nearly round. 3. Round: A simple, elegant shape that can appear both modern and antique. 4. Cushion: Favored during the Victorian Era, this shape is t...
Engravings on the Face
Signet rings can have any kind of design on their face, including no design whatsoever, and traditionally, these designs would be rendered on the face in one of two ways.
Setting Reverse
If you have a stone set into the face of your signet ring, the area where the stone meets the band can either be open or closed. If open, you are able to see the underside of the stone, but the resulting cavity tends to collect detritus and is very difficult to clean. If closed, you cannot see the bottom of the stone, and the additional metal and workmanship will inflate the cost, but the final lines of the ring tend to be more elegant, and it will be easier to keep the ring clean.
Home. Rings. What Are Signet Rings? Signet rings have a rich history spanning many centuries and cultures. These specific rings are not just mere ornaments but reflect family heritage, identity, and social status. So, what are signet rings? Are they an ideal piece of jewelry for your lifestyle?
May 31, 2017 · An introduction and primer on the signet ring. Includes the signet ring definition, meaning, histology, types of signet rings and which finger to wear on.
The anatomy of signet rings is pretty simple: you have the shank, or band; the bezel, which is the shaped segment that holds the signet; and, a signet, a symbol or design emblazoned onto the bezel. And, it is typical to find signet rings in a basic format: a band that has a prominent, etched bezel.
Oct 26, 2023 · A signet ring is a ring that has a flat surface engraved with a design, such as a family crest, initials, or a monogram. Signet rings were originally used as seals to authenticate documents and letters. Today, signet rings are still worn as a symbol of status and power, but they are also popular as fashion accessories.
Signet Ring Meaning: Royalty, Social Status and Power. What does a signet ring mean? Over time, the signet ring has become less functional and more of a symbol of family heritage and social status, truly becoming a "gentleman's ring". How to Wear a Signet Ring? 1. Wearing It on Your Pinky Finger. What finger does a woman wear a signet ring on?
