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If you are keen to show off a classic style in the jewellery that you wear then a signet ring might be a piece worth investing in. What’s more, there’s a rather interesting history to the signet ring even though there are now some interesting modern designs.
A signet ring can be identified by its raised, flat surface which commonly features some sort of engravement.
Signet rings were traditionally worn by men and were designed to sign documents, often in a religious capacity. However, today they’re worn by women and men, making a classic statement in
gold or silver.
The signet ring can be traced back as far as ancient Rome and Greece. Back in those days, the signet ring was seen as one of a man’s most prized possessions and was rarely worn on the finger. In fact, men would lock their signet rings away in a box, only bringing them out when they needed to sign an important document.
There is a clue in the name the signet ring; that’s right, these rings were originally intended for men to sign their names during a time when not everyone was literate. However, back then, it was only those in a place of nobility, royalty or religious importance that would be fortunate enough to possess a signet ring.
More often than not, the family crest would be engraved on the ring or some other unique design that would separate one man’s signet from anothers. These rings were so personal that, when the
owner passed away, they were buried with them or destroyed, unlike other jewellery that would be passed down through the generations.
However, over time, the unique designs became more flamboyant and many royals would wear their signet rings as a sign of wealth and for fashion. This trend continued to develop into the wearing of the modern signet ring. There are plenty of mass produced signet rings on the market today but a small handful of jewellers still produce handmade, custom signet rings with personalised designs that are intended to be treasured across the generations.
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The traditional signet ring was designed as a men’s piece but back in the 1970s many women jumped on the trend and that’s something that’s stuck ever since. A lot of ladies choose a dainty signet ring made from a variety of materials including gold, silver, platinum, rose gold and nickel.
One of the questions that has baffled signet ring wearers for decades is whether the ring should be worn with the crest facing towards you or away from you. In reality, there is an answer to defend
both ways.
Many would agree that wearing the crest facing towards you symbolises your loyalty to your family. With the crest facing you, it serves as a continued reminder of any hardships or challenges your
family has faced and come through the other side.
Flip it around and some people think that it’s best to wear the ring with the crest facing outwards. This is a symbol to other people to show the family to which you belong.
Of course, with modern jewellery, there’s really no right or wrong way to wear your signet ring and it’s very much down to personal preference.
As well as thinking about how the signet ring should be worn, there’s often a musing around which is the right finger for a signet ring. Again, what really matters is personal choice because your jewellery is a way to show off your individual style.
But if we’re thinking about tradition then this would dictate that the signet ring should be worn on the pinky finger. The reason for this was that, back in the middle ages when these rings were used for practical purposes, it was a lot easier to show the ring when it was worn on the little finger.
If you look at modern royals or people in positions of authority, such as King Charles III, you’ll notice that they still wear their signet rings on the pinky finger.
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How much you pay for a signet ring depends on numerous factors. For example, if you’re buying a machine-made ring that is produced by the thousands then you might not pay very much at all. On the other hand, if you’re having your signet ring custom made by a professional jeweller, then the price will naturally be much higher.
It is also possible to buy a vintage or antique signet ring and these have a much higher value. These items are considered to be personal works of art and can cost upwards of tens of thousands of
pounds.
It’s also worth considering the current gold prices as this can have an effect on the cost of a signet ring as well as how much metal is used to make it. Where gold prices are higher, the ring will cost
more but when they start to fall, the value of any signet ring may decrease.
When it comes to jewellery, the signet ring is one of the most traditional yet beautiful pieces you can own. While originally worn by men for signing documents, they’re now a staple in the jewellery
boxes of people all over the world and they come in an endless choice of designs, traditionally personalised.
While it is possible to purchase a mass produced signet ring for a relatively small amount of money, the most valuable ones are custom made and totally unique. It’s an investment that will be treasured for generations to come.
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