Wondering how to style a signet ring? I’m not surprised, it sometimes seems that very few people can pull them off. What I will say is that anyone can wear a signet ring and wear it well as long as you understand how to style it.
Below is everything you need to consider to figure out how to style a signet ring. There’s no one way to do it, so read everything below and find your own style for the type of signet ring that you like best. Don’t worry – you can’t get it wrong.
What is the Signet Ring?
Historically, signet rings were used to affix seals to official documents. Melted wax was poured onto documents, and then the knuckle was pressed into it, which created an indentation from the ring, which was typically a family crest. Of course, there are very few people who still use signet rings in this way. The level of practicality attached to the signet ring has decreased; in fact, often family crests are no longer engraved backwards onto the signet ring. Although it may not have much of a practical purpose anymore, there is still a certain charm to the signet ring.
It has been suggested that the ring as we know it today was popularised by the Pharaohs of Egypt in the 4th Century BC, whose rings had hieroglyphics. At this time, religious leaders, nobles, and pharaohs would wear rings made out of stone or pottery. The rings were flat and were ornamented with symbols in order to denote its owner.
In the Early Minoan age, signet rings were formed out of ivory and soft stones. In the Middle Minoan age signet rings were crafted out of harder stones. Then by the late Bronze Age, the signet ring became the ring we would recognise today. In the Hellenistic period, signet rings were believed to be a form of decorative art, not just a practical piece.
In Britain, King Edward II was the one who brought the signet ring into fashion. At the beginning of the 14th Century, he decreed that all official documents had to be signed and stamped with his signet ring. Some of the most important and significant letters in history have been signed with a signet ring to prove authenticity.
It was in the 18th and 19th Centuries when people had crests made when they came into a reasonable amount of money. It was no longer for people from ‘old money’. Having their crests emblazoned upon items, including a signet ring was a further sign that they had done well in life (financially speaking).
Anyone can wear a signet ring today, it doesn’t necessarily have to follow that you have a small fortune. However, if you do want to look like a lord of old, it might be a good idea to wear your signet ring on your pinky!
Style of Signet Rings
There are a few common signet ring styles, which focus on the shape of the ring. The six most popular signet ring shapes are:
- Oxford: a heavy, square style ring that has rounded corners
- Round: a simple round shaped face
- Octagon: a contemporary shape for the face of a signet ring
- Cushion: this was a firm favourite amongst the Victorians, it has a bigger, round corner square face for extra detail
- Oval: an oval shape face which is probably the most popular shape
- Bulbous Oval: a heavier, oval shaped ring
Some signet rings have gemstones on top of them, such as black onyx, bloodstone, lapis lazuli, and carnelian. These gemstones add a pop of colour and provide a way to distinguish yourself from the other signet wearers.
How to Style Your Signet Ring
Although there aren’t any strict rules when it comes to styling an antique signet ring, there are some traditions surrounding the signet ring. In Britain, signet rings were worn on the left hand, on the pinky finger. In the Victorian era, men would typically wear their signet ring stacked on their wedding band on their left pinky.
Having said that, it is completely up to the wearer as to where they place their signet ring.
A signet ring is a type of jewellery which works well when worn alone. In fact, it could be argued that the most difficult thing to take into account when wearing a signet ring is how to match it to other accessories. The key to matching a signet ring to other items is to match metal and design. So try to match your yellow gold accessories to your yellow gold signet ring, or your rose gold accessories to your rose gold signet ring. Mismatching gold can work, but only in certain situations, so if you aren’t confident in your matching abilities – stick to one metal!
Giving the different colours that accompany these stones, it might be an idea to subtly match an item of clothing to your signet ring.
The signet ring has long been a staple piece of jewellery for men, with many rarely taking it off. Because of this, signet rings can, and have been, styled with many different outfits; to the extent that you can’t go far wrong when choosing how to style your signet ring!