The signet ring was originally worn as a status symbol by the wealthy and influential, such as princes or nobles. It gave the upper class the opportunity to display their coat of arms or affiliation and thus distinguish themselves from others. Among the motifs of a signet ring, the family coat of arms, animals, the lotus blossom, and deities were very popular at that time. In addition to the idea of prestige, the ring also had another very important function. It served as a stamp to seal letters or other important documents. Of course, this function is no longer used today, but it is still considered a sign of elitism in some places.
The signet ring was already found in ancient Egyptian tombs and was especially popular in the old Roman era. There, it served as a symbol of wealth and power, because it was reserved for nobles or military rulers to wear a ring in gold or other precious metals. At that time, it was inseparably linked to its owner, because it was used as a personal signature. Caesar’s signet ring, for example, depicted an armed Venus. Thus, each individual signet ring was used as a kind of business card for the wearer, as each was unique.
In addition to the signature or quasi ID of a person, the signet ring had another functionality. It was used as a stamp to seal important documents. By means of liquid wax, letters or important documents were sealed and at the same time, the sender of a letter was identified. This is because the engravings of the signet ring were visible in the stamp through the use of the wax, which meant that the addressee knew immediately which person had sent him the letter. Accordingly, a kind of data protection was practiced decades ago to prevent unauthorized reading of a document.
Furthermore, many signet rings have symbols of the Freemasons. Among them are the usual symbols such as angles and compasses (the best-known symbol of the Freemasons), mason’s stones and chain links, but also unknown symbols. The signet ring is available in various materials and shapes. Besides the precious metals typical for jewelry, gold, and silver, stainless steel is also often used. The latter is usually additionally provided with a certain alloy to imitate the appearance of silver or gold.
Traditional use of signet rings today
In Europe, it is less common to still equip unions with signet rings today. However, there are schools and universities in the USA that have been using them for a long time. There, school coats of arms, the graduation year, and various symbols can be found on the so-called class rings. Those who happen to own one are not limited in wearing these certainly beautiful and expressive accessories, but one thing is almost obligatory: the ring finger must be used when wearing them; on any other finger they would present themselves or their owner rather ridiculously.
The only exception is the little finger. This came about when, over the years, the dimensions of the ring finger also increased and the ring simply no longer fitted. However, it does not have the best effect there. The direction in which the ring is inserted must also be taken into account: The engraving is designed to be readable by the other person – a letter or symbol is, therefore “upside down” from the wearer’s point of view.
Is the signet ring still modern today? Or is it a relic of the upper “class” at all? Let’s look back: Originally, the signet ring was clearly reserved for an elite. Namely, those who presented power, influence, and wealth to the outside world. We are talking about a period that began as early as 2000 BC. The use of signet rings is documented in all subsequent eras.
Before purchasing a signet ring for men, consumers should get an overview of the type of ring, as well as the size. A signet ring for men starts with a ring size of 58 – 63 for narrow fingers. For wider fingers, they start from a ring size of 64 – 72. You can find out how to determine your ring size here.