The tradition of wearing Signet Rings can be seen in the art and history of many cultures worldwide throughout the ages, beginning in ancient Egypt with large gold signet rings discovered in the pyramids of pharaohs and high ranking court officials. These were mostly Mens Signet Rings, but because a new signet ring was created for every pharaoh, female rulers like Cleopatra and Hatshepsut also wore them, and members of the royal families in general wore some type of ring marking them as such. Later, signet rings were worn by rulers and the upper class in Europe under monarchy and feudalism. Signet rings, in essence, were created as a means of instantly conveying the identity of their wearers– usually as the members of a royal or noble family, the owners of a particular parcel of land, and so forth– so their authority would be recognized and accepted immediately upon seeing the signet ring. To accomplish this end by long distance means as well as in person, signet rings were deeply engraved in order to double as stamps for printing one’s signet, or seal, in ink or impressing its image into sealing wax on private or important documents. This use of an embossed seal is still seen today on many official documents, and practiced by notaries with more modern instruments.
As the utilitarian function of the signet rings purpose fell to others and in many cases ended completely, signet rings became more symbolic and fashionable. Prince Charles of Great Britain wears a signet ring bearing his family coat of arms that was commissioned from the same jeweler that has made the family’s rings for centuries. Aside from instances like this one in which history dictates the specific of a signet ring, most modern day signet rings bear the simplified modern equivalent of the family crest (or coat of arms): the monogram. In many families in the eastern United States where lineage can be traced back to colonial figures or noted captains of industry, signet rings are a traditional gift for young men upon milestone birthdays like sixteen and eighteen, or as high school and college graduation gifts. There are many beautiful and elegant styles of Ladies Signet Rings available as well, in designs created with the smaller hands and finer fingers of female wearers in mind, and some more feminine shapes such as elongated ovals, hearts and stars. Yellow gold signet rings and white gold signet rings are the most popular.
