The Signet Ring has been worn with great pride and dignity for more than a thousand years.

During the long ago but fascinating Middle Ages, warriors and knights who were about to go into battle would bedeck their armor and shields with their Signet Rings coats of arms or badges.

Signet rings were also used for purposes of identification during medieval tournaments and jousts.

The development of the royal Signet Ring was a natural and predictable offshoot of the use of signet rings as a means of identification in war. Their use of graphics in this way served a very practical, and in fact, essential purpose during the heat of battle: quick and easy identification of friends and enemies.

Although the evolution of the signet ring probably occurred as a result of personal vanity or pride, it did have its practical purposes as well. Even in times of peace, many knights and nobles soon began to decorate some of their other possessions with their devices or badges-including personal jewelry such as rings and cuffs.

A few specific types of signet rings were created for practical reasons.

For example, a signet ring made during the Middle Ages for a nobleman was engraved with the appropriate signet ring crest carved in reverse. When the top of the ring was pressed into hot wax that had been dripped onto the closure of a letter or document, it created a wax image. Since the rightful owner of the signet ring was the presumptive sender of the letter or author of the document, a document sealed with a signet ring bearing a signet ring coat-of-arms served to identify the author and assured the authenticity of the document.

Signet rings can be accented with beautifully engraved or etched monograms or family crests. Even today, a quality signet ring is a uniquely appropriate gift for an accomplished man or woman. In countries where the royal class still exists, signet rings can also be a status symbol. People who use signet rings for sealing documents closed with those who wear them purely as signet ring, appreciate their signet rings as a symbolic link to their past and their family history.

A colorful, elegant signet ring is perfect for the commemoration of a significant event in a person’s life. When presented to the recipient in connection with such an event, signet rings instill in the giver and the recipient a sense of history and continuing family lines. Although often worn strictly for beauty, signet rings have become extremely popular not just because of appearance, but also because of the sense of history and the pageantry they evoke.

High-quality pieces feature lovely designs with intricate detail, as well as vivid colors if they have also been enameled or jeweled. They are often made with precious metals such as gold, silver or platinum.

Some individuals still use signet rings to identify themselves even today. But don’t forget, there doesn’t have to be a purpose behind wearing a signet ring.

Although rooted in history, it is beautiful in its own right and can be worn with great pride and dignity.