Overview: Signet Rings
Did you know that signet rings have a deep and rich history? Their enduring charm has long been used as seals to authenticate official matters, although with the passage of time, they were embellished with an emblem or family crest to mark an individual’s heritage, and even pressed into wax when marking important documents.
Over time, signet rings evolved from simply being functional accessories to more of a fashion icon, although never losing their sense of importance or what they were originally designed for.
Today, signet rings are worn both as a nod to a timeless tradition and as a chic accessory which can be used to great effect to mark your own unique style.
What is a Signet Ring?
Before modern times, signet rings were worn to exude nobility and royalty. They were often worn by men in powerful, authoritative positions to set them apart from the common folk. In fact, signet rings were treated as heirloom – getting passed down from generation to generation to the next ‘important person’ in line who was ready to assume control, whether they had earned the right to do so or not.
Today, however, you’ll find men and women wearing signet rings to flaunt their personal style and character.
Upon first glance, a signet ring looks like any regular ring: it’s got a flat surface which is engraved with an eye-catching design – like a monogram, family crest or initials, for example – and people would originally use them to seal or authenticate documents as well as letters. At present, signet rings are worn as prominent fashion accessories, although some people have preserved them in the traditional sense, wearing theirs as a symbol of power and status.
Signet rings are usually made from silver or gold. You can have the engraving on your signet ring as basic or as complex as you like, depending on what your general preferences are.
Some folks, for instance, get their family crest engraved on a signet ring, while others get their initials/monogram engraved. It really depends on what kind of ‘effect’ you want to achieve.
You can wear a signet ring on any finger you like, although the norm is to wear it on your little finger or pinkie, and on the dominant hand. There’s a simple reason for this: the little finger is not actively involved in day-to-day activities or tasks, and so, your signet ring is less likely to get scuffed up, worn out, or damaged.
All in all, signet rings are considered a highly versatile fashion and jewellery piece. They can be matched to just about any outfit, whether you are dressing up or down for any given occasion. For example, you might wear a simple or basic-looking signet ring with a casual, everyday outfit, or you could wear a more elaborate one with your favourite formal attire on a night out.
History of Signet Rings and Meaning of Different Types
If we delve into the story or backdrop of signet rings, we must embark on a fascinating journey through time.
Signet rings go as far back as the ancient Roman and Egyptian civilisations, where they were used as seals to sign important letters and authenticate documents. The signet ring being used on any specific document would often carry the owner’s unique insignia, verifying their identity and authority in an official or political matter, for example.
With time moving forward, signet rings evolved rapidly in terms of both significance and style. They became synonymous with honour, power, and family heritage. In medieval Europe, for instance, they were worn as a status of nobility, where the intricate designs paid homage to the wearer’s social standing and family lineage.
Signet rings have also carried heraldic significance ever since they came into being, with each element of a ring’s design denoting a specific meaning – from flowers and animals to colours. In present times, signet rings have faithfully retained their symbolism – many wearers choose designs that are an ode to their personal style and significance, embellishing their signet rings with everything from zodiac sings and initials to meaningful symbols of heirloom.
There’s no denying that signet rings have enjoyed a long, rich, and varied history. The ancient Mesopotamians and Egyptians were among the first civilisations to use them. They were also commonly used in ancient Rome and Greece as a symbol of power, authority, and status. In the Middle Ages, signet rings were frequently used by high-ranking nobles to authenticate all kinds of letters and documents.
Signet rings were particularly popular throughout the Tudor period in England and Wales. During this era, they were commonly used for sealing wax on official government documents. Interestingly, all the while, they were also worn as statement pieces by the wealthy, authoritative, and powerful.
Moving on to the Victorian era, signet rings grew even more in popularity and widespread use. They were quite often gifted to children when they became of age. The trend gained momentum, and soon, signet rings were worn by both men and women, no matter what their social class or stature.
When it comes to the different types of signet rings, the possibilities are nearly endless. For example:
· Signet rings can be blank should the wearer choose, have minimal design, or overflowing with intricate designs
· They can be made of sterling silver, rose gold, pure gold, or cheaper alternatives
· They might feature logos, initials, emotional symbols, zodiac signs, or other unique designs to showcase an individual’s character and personality
· They may feature unique symbols such as a sunflower, butterfly, rose, moon, etc.
· They may contain different shapes like a heart or flower, or oval, square, bar, and starburst shapes
· And, signet rings may be used casually with everyday outfits or for special occasions only
When starting out with signet rings, you might find it confusing but it doesn’t have to be: simply choose one according to how you want to use it and especially what you want it to symbolise. Or, for instance, do you want your signet ring to remind you of a certain someone special? Do you want it to stand out as a bold piece that will practically whip people in the face and get their attention as you stylishly sip your favourite drink at parties? There are so many possibilities, really, and you are in complete control!
How to best wear Signet Rings: Styling Tips for Men and Women
No matter how you want to use your signet ring, know that it is a highly versatile piece of jewellery. Both men and women can wear them in a variety of fashionable ways:
Signet ring styling tips for men
Well, let’s start with choosing the right size, shall we?
Your signet ring should fit snugly on your little finger but, at the same time, it should never feel uncomfortable. A ring that’s too big or small will certainly not look good and feel annoyingly uncomfortable on your hand all day long.
Now, we did state earlier that signet rings are ideally worn on the little finger or pinkie of the dominant hand. But that’s not etched in stone, mind you. You can still experiment generously and wear your signet ring on any finger that you feel most comfortable with.
You’d also want to mix and match different metals. Signet rings are available in different kinds of metals, which include silver sterling, stainless steel, and gold. It’s always a good idea to mix and match different metals to create a more wide-ranging and attractive look that catches people’s eye easily. For instance, you might stack up a gold signet ring with a sterling silver chain or bracelet.
Signet rings can also be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion or event. For a formal look, you might wear a gold signet ring with a beautiful tuxedo or traditional suit and tie. For a casual look, you could put on a silver signet ring with your everyday pair of jeans and t-shirt. So many possibilities!
Here are more examples of different combinations you can try:
· Wear a stainless steel signet ring with your favourite pair of black t-shirt and jeans to achieve a casual look.
· Pair up a silver signet ring with chinos and a white button-down shirt to achieve a smart-casual look.
· Match a gold signet ring with a white dress shirt and navy suit, if you are after a classic look.
Signet ring styling tips for women
Again, we’d suggest focusing on selecting the right size before anything else. So, that means your signet ring should fit firmly on your finger without feeling overbearing or uncomfortable.
Also, decide which finger you want to wear it on. Most women tend to wear signet rings on their little finger although some wear theirs on the middle finger and even the forefinger. It should feel comfortable and not get in the way of day-to-day tasks and/or chores.
It’s always a good idea to stack up your favourite signet ring with our jewellery pieces. So, you can stack it up with cocktail rings, chain rings, or midi rings. It’s actually a fantastic way to create a more layered and interesting look.
Finally, match your signet ring with your outfit. Many women like to match their signet ring with the metal of the jewellery they have on or, for example, to the colour of their outfit. For instance, you can try a gold signet ring with a gold bracelet and necklace, or you might try a silver signet ring with a plain black’n’white outfit.
Here are more examples of different signet ring combinations you can try:
· Wear a stainless steel signet ring with your favourite pair of traditional jeans and black t-shirt for a casual look.
· Pair up a silver signet ring with tailored trousers and a white button-down shirt for a smart-casual look.
· Combine your gold signet ring with a black cocktail dress and, perhaps, statement earrings to achieve a formal look.
Ultimately, the right signet ring can add the prefect touch of luxury, elegance, and sophistication to your outfit and overall look.
Are Signet Rings for Everybody?
Well, that decision is ultimately up to you.
The signet ring (a finger ring) has been around for centuries. While originally used to show an individual’s power, authority, and official identity, signet rings are today worn purely for personal and/or fashion reasons.
You’ll see certain individuals wearing signet rings with an engraved design, which you can bet is a family crest/symbol used to identify the individual’s family lineage. For this purpose, most people prefer to have their signet ring made of precious metals like gold or silver, with some wearers having beautiful gemstones set into the design.
So, when it comes to “who should wear a signet ring”, anyone can wear it, really, there’s no definitive answer to this. We are no longer living in Medieval Times, and so, signet rings are mostly worn as unique statement pieces, and typically, for their aesthetic appeal, although some people do continue to wear them because of their historical significance.
The Best Way to wear a Signet Ring
Signet rings are mostly worn as a fashion statement today and many people wear them to express their personal style. Traditionally, they have been worn on the little finger of the dominant hand, so that’s a safe starting point. However, remember to leave enough space between your signet ring and other jewellery so that each piece stands apart properly.
Furthermore, the traditional way of wearing a signet ring is to have the face of the ring pointing outward and away from your palm, especially if you have an engraving or monogram on it.
Whether you are wearing a signet ring as a family heirloom or want to simply exude your personal style and character, The Biker Ring Shop offers a unique selection of signet rings in different shapes, sizes, materials, and designs. Choose a signet ring that speaks to your personal tastes. Shop now!