About Signet Rings
A signet ring carries a personal device – a crest, monogram or engraved image – originally pressed into warm wax to seal and authenticate letters and documents. Signets have been worn for more than two thousand years, from Roman rings set with carved carnelian and jasper to Georgian and Victorian gold rings engraved with family crests, initials and coats of arms. This collection spans both traditions: hardstone and gemstone seals, and solid gold or silver rings engraved directly into the metal.
What to look for. Judge the engraving first. Softened edges are natural on a ring worn for generations, but the design should still read clearly when pressed into wax. Hardstones such as carnelian, bloodstone, sardonyx and banded agate were favoured because they hold fine detail and resist wear. Look inside the shank for hallmarks: most British gold rings from the mid-19th century onwards carry a carat mark, an assay office mark and a date letter. Many earlier rings, and much Continental work, carry partial marks or none, so style and construction become the guide.
Dating clues. Georgian signets tend to have hand-finished shanks and stones in closed-back settings; Victorian rings are often heavier, with oval or cushion-shaped heads; Edwardian and later signets are usually flatter, lighter and more crisply machined. Heraldic engraving can sometimes be traced to a particular family through crest reference books.
Why buyers love them. A signet is history you can wear every day. Traditionally worn on the little finger, it suits men and women alike, and an antique example has a character and depth of carving that a new ring rarely matches.
Buy with complete confidence
- Complimentary resizing. Most signet rings can be resized by our specialist antique bench jeweller. Send us your size before you order and we'll confirm what's possible.
- 30-day no-hassle returns. If for any reason the ring isn't right, send it back within 30 days for a full refund, no questions asked.
- Fast, free, fully insured delivery. US orders travel by DHL Express, typically arriving in 1–3 working days, with duties and tariffs covered by us. UK orders arrive next working day, and we ship quickly worldwide.
- Guaranteed authentic. Every ring comes with a certificate of authenticity and a printed information sheet on its history, beautifully presented in a Ravensbury box.