If you’re considering buying engraved signet jewellery for yourself or someone you love, it’s a good idea to learn more about them first. Engraved signet jewellery isn’t a new fad that’s started in the 21st century. It has strong historical significance dating back as far as the Ancient Egyptians. They’ve been used for many years to signify power, sophistication and even in replacement of a signature. But these days, their use is mostly for stylistic reasons. In this article, we’re going to cover what these rings are, their history, who should wear them and some common engraving ideas. Let’s dive deeper into what they are first!

1. What are signet rings?

Engraved signet jewellery is often seen as a flat looking ring with engravings on it. In the past, it was common for these rings to have raised edges because they were used to make wax seals. Besides, showing off wealth and power, these rings acted as the signature of the wearer. But these days, engraved signet jewellery is commonly used for engraving the initials of the wearer or a club or fraternity that they belong to. Although these rings do not hold the significance they once did, they still make a unique gift. This is because you can engrave a significant message or image on it for the wearer to treasure for years to come.

2. The history behind engraved signet jewellery

Engraved signet jewellery has been around since Ancient Egypt. Though back then, the jewellery was made of stone and not the engraved silver or gold jewellery you see today. These signet rings were used to make impressions in wet clay to act as a signature of the wearer. They could be used on anything from a personal message, a decree from a king or simply an acknowledgement of receiving a message from someone else. Fast forward quite a few years to when humans started writing, these rings were most commonly used to seal messages. For example, if a king wanted to communicate with his general during a war, the seal was used to make sure the document wasn’t tampered with. This ensured that secrets were kept only by those that were meant to know them. Sometimes other stamps were used to make these seals, but it was much more significant if the seal was made by a signet ring. This is because the engraved signet ring was worn by the wearer so it would be hard to make a fake copy. To ensure the authenticity of the ring, the engraver would make several copies that could be distributed to those that would receive the messages. So once a message was received, the receiver would then compare the images to make sure nothing was amiss. Finally, once the owner of the engraved ring passed away, the ring was broken so it could never be used again. But enough about the history lesson, let’s fast forward to the 21st century!

3. Who can wear engraved signet jewellery?

In the past, signet rings were worn only by men since they were generally the ones that held powerful positions. Thankfully, this is now a thing of the past. These days, anyone can wear engraved signet jewellery as it’s more a style choice than about power and sophistication. The traditional way to wear a signet ring was on the pinky-finger of the non-dominant hand. So if you’re left-handed, put it on your right pinky and if you’re right-handed on your left! But as with any old tradition, you’re bound by any laws to wear it exactly like this. The only common finger to avoid is the fourth finger on either hand, you might know this as your ring-finger. This is because this finger is usually saved for marriage and engagement, but hey who are we to tell you how to live your life! Feel free to go with whatever feels right for you.

4. What are the common engravings on signet jewellery?

In the past engravings were mostly done of family crests or other specific symbols. These could range from the symbol of a great king to a simple message created for a group of acquaintances, friends or family. While some people still pass down engraved signet rings with family crests down through the generations, it’s common to engrave whatever you like. For example, if you’re a businessman or businesswoman you could get the logo of your company as a reminder of what you’ve created. Or you could choose something that reminds you to keep pushing through any hard times you may experience. Here at The Silver Store, we’ve hand-engraved many different designs on signet rings. We have experience with fingerprints, initials, coordinates or other symbols. As long as it fits on the signet ring, we’d be happy to put it on there for you.

5. How to take care of engraved signet jewellery

Taking care of your signet ring depends on what metal it’s made from. For longevity, it’s best to choose high-quality metals such as sterling silver or gold. Cheaper rings are usually made from metals like zinc or lead and have plating on top. While these rings can save you money upfront, they don’t last very long so you’ll have to keep replacing them. Another aspect to consider is whether your ring will be plated or not. Even if you opt for a high-quality metal such as silver, any plating on top will eventually wear off and you’ll have to get it re-plated. For any metal, it’s best to store them separate from each other in a cool, dry place and preferably in a protective bag. Also, be careful not to spray your jewellery with perfumes or allow creams or other liquids to touch them. This can speed up oxidisation. When wiping the jewellery clean, be sure to use a very soft cloth to avoid scratches. One major difference between solid and plated jewellery is that solid jewellery can be polished using a special cloth. But you should avoid rubbing plated jewellery too much as it will take off the top coat of metal. So it’s best to dab the piece dry. Now that you know everything about engraved signet jewellery you’re better equipped to choose the right option for yourself or your loved ones. Do you have any other questions about signet rings? Get in contact with us through our website. We’ll be glad to help you with anything you need!