Signet Ring FAQs
Basics
What is a signet ring? A ring with a flat face, traditionally engraved with a crest, arms or monogram. Historically it was pressed into wax to seal letters and documents, but today it's mostly worn as a personal or family keepsake.
Which finger should a signet ring be worn on? Traditionally the little finger in the UK & ring finger in the US or Europe. Usually worn on the non-dominant hand, but there are no strict rules - the choice is yours!
Can women wear signet rings? Yes. Women's signet rings are very popular, often in smaller sizes sometimes with a scalloped (slimmed down) shoulder.
Do I need a family crest to have a signet ring? No. We can design a monogram, crest style design or other personal emblem or logo – even just a plain polished face until you decide.
How much does a signet ring cost? Our signet rings start from £400 in silver. The price depends on three things: the metal (silver is the most affordable, then gold, rising with carat, then platinum), the head size, and the complexity of the engraving. Browse our signet rings by engraving type to see options and prices, or request a custom quote for a bespoke design.
Design and Engraving
What can be engraved on a signet ring? Crests, monograms, initials, symbols, or custom designs. We have a full range of signet rings by engraving on our home page.
What is the difference between deep engraving and regular hand engraving? We are specialist deep engravers our craft originates when seal engraving was usual. There is a cachet to deep engraving as it’s a more specialist craft than regular hand engraving and it provides clarity and longevity. Regular hand engraving is shallow and will wear away with years of wear.
Can I use my ring as a wax seal? Yes. Traditionally the engraving is reversed so the impression reads correctly in wax. Even our ‘deep for show’ (still deep but not reversed) engravings will produce an impression. We have a video of how to make a wax seal.
Which face shape should I choose? Oval is the classic choice, cushion and octagonal are popular modern options. We have a full guide including head size guide and images of each ring on a man’s and woman’s hands.
Materials and Quality
What materials are your rings made from? Most popular material is gold in classic yellow, red (antique/rose) and white. Carats (9ct, 14ct, 18ct). Also, sterling silver and platinum. We do not work in base metal and rings are solid not plated.
Is hallmarking important? In the UK, gold, silver and platinum items above small minimum weights must be hallmarked by law. All our signet rings are hallmarked. The hallmark guarantees the metal's purity. We have full details on the UK hallmark.
Will a solid gold signet ring last? Yes. We specifically make die-stamped signet rings for this reason. Gold, silver and platinum can last generations and can even be re-polished.
What carat is most durable? 9ct, 14ct, or 18ct die-stamped rings are all designed for a lifetime of everyday wear. Die-stamping process improves the durability of higher carats. More on the durability of different precious metal purities.
Sizing, Ordering, and Care
How do I find my ring size? We are able to supply a ring sizer to you by post, please contact us for details. More information on obtaining your finger size.
Can a signet ring be resized? Yes, we offer a free re-size with every purchase. Die-stamped rings can be resized multiple times throughout your lifetime because of their quality and durability.
How long does a custom ring take to make? Most of our classic signet rings with engraving take 3 weeks from a confirmed order. Specialist metals like platinum, complex custom engraving, or services like gem setting or enamelling will take a little longer.
Do you offer returns on engraved rings? Yes, every signet ring comes with our no-quibble money-back guarantee.
How do I care for my signet ring? Wash with mild soapy water and a soft brush, and polish with a cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals. Silver tarnishes naturally if left un-worn but polishes back up easily.
Gifts and Your Own Ring
Is a signet ring a good gift? Yes. It works well for milestones such as 18th or 21st birthdays, graduations, weddings, and inheriting a family keepsake. We can help with your design and you can purchase a plain ring for engraving later.
Can I get my own ring engraved? It's often possible to engrave a signet ring that you supply if it is of sufficient quality. Sometimes it may not be advisable on frail old heirlooms however we often produce replicas of existing rings or engrave from photos.
Tradition and Heraldry
Are all your rings engraved in reverse? No. Our die-stamped signet rings are engraved in three main engraving styles.
What is a 'seal ring'? A seal ring is one of the oldest forms of identifying a particular family or individual. The seal ring was traditionally used for creating wax seals on documents, the use of a signet ring as a seal ring actually dates back over three thousand years.
Why is the engraving sometimes in reverse? The traditional method is to engrave all the details of your arms in negative so the signet ring makes a positive three-dimensional impression in a wax seal. However we can offer the ring in what we call 'deep for show' style in which the engraving appears un-reversed.
Why do people still wear seal rings? Traditional seal engraving is still a popular choice for a signet ring especially with heraldic engraving. While few actually make seals with their rings, they are more unusual, and of a higher quality than typical hand engraved rings, and consequently there is a prestige to owning one.
What are the different parts of an arms? We have information about our family arms rings here including a legend to heraldic terminology. Also you can see examples of our crest rings and to decide if a coat of arms or crest ring is right for you we have a blog post on the subject.
FAQs | Engraving Styles | Die-Stamped Rings | The Hallmark | Our Unique Pledge
