Signet rings?

[Stuggi]

Do you own and use a signet ring? I'm toying with the idea of getting one, but I'm a bit unsure about how to go about it.

[Nitesiter07]

A quick google search came up with a bunch of good ones.

 

This site caught my eye.

 

http://www.raru.com/signet/signet.htm

 

I love the idea of having a family crest stamp.

 

Dave

Edited April 7, 2010 by Nitesiter07

[Shangas]

I'm actually considering getting a signet-ring made for me. I originally got the idea when I saw class-rings for sale. But the rings were so expensive, I decided that, for that kind of money, I may as well get my OWN ring.

 

Which is what I plan to do when my parents and I next go on holiday back the Old Country. Get someone there to make a signet-ring for me.

 

Just keep in mind that, for the ring to be used as a signet-ring, the monogram or coat of arms has to be engraved into the ring backwards and reverse, so that it leaves a clear, right-way-around impression in any wax that you shove the ring into.

[Bluecloud]

I do. It used to be my dads, worn on his pinkie. He got it when he graduated. It fits my ring finger perfectly.

It's got our family crest on it.

[mediocrechris]

This is the signet ring I want.

 

http://www.wowhead.com/item=51557

[tfwall]

Dexter Engraving is a good source for such things.

 

Keep in mind though, most "family crests" are a marketing invention. Consider if there isn't something more personal which you'd like to get engraved.

Edited April 7, 2010 by Chemyst

[Stuggi]

Considering that family crests are a legal thing here in Finland, I'm going with my initials and maybe some added graphics.

[yachtsilverswan]

Dexter Engraving is a good source for such things.

 

Keep in mind though, most "family crests" are a marketing invention. Consider if there isn't something more personal which you'd like to get engraved.

 

+1 for Dexter - the finest 3-D engraving in the business - http://www.familysealrings.com/

 

And as Chemyst said, please don't have "your" family crest or Coat of Arms engraved unless you or your forebeaerers were granted the design by a genuine College of Arms - don't be a poser. Use something more unique - I use the crossed burgee logo of my boat. Most Americans correctly use their initials.

[Vincent1278]

I did a little research on heraldry once, the crest is just the piece above the arms and arms represent only an individual not an entire family. Sometimes folks want just a lion or some animal and these are just the 'supporters' of the crest. Your arms would only a field (shield) with a color and a symbol. If you create one it could be recognized if they were approved and recorded by some organization or other, it's different from country to country, but it can be done. Fun stuff.

You can also have your name or initials made into a sort of signet stamp or stone -- Nakaya actually does this in Japanese characters.

[warblerick]

Do you own and use a signet ring? I'm toying with the idea of getting one, but I'm a bit unsure about how to go about it.

 

I purchased a signet ring about a year or so ago, from our family jeweler. He had them in a display case, and it caught my eye. It was a gift from my wife (wedding anniversary or birthday, doon't remember). He had just lost his regular enraver though, so had to send it somewhere else, and it took seemingly forever to come back. But it is very nice, and I wear it every day, sometimes even when I have not put on my wedding ring! I had mine made so the initials are readable, not backwards to be used. I doubt that I would use a ring in that way, so enjoy it much more the way I got it. And because it was a custom job, I had them make it in a 10 1/4 size which is what I wear. Mine is plain yellow gold, with an oval shape for the initials.

[Kaych]

 

And as Chemyst said, please don't have "your" family crest or Coat of Arms engraved unless you or your forebeaerers were granted the design by a genuine College of Arms - don't be a poser. Use something more unique - I use the crossed burgee logo of my boat. Most Americans correctly use their initials.

 

And along the male line too IIRC.

[Ted H]

I got a custom one from here: http://www.ringware.com/store/main.asp?c=9549963038666200&retailID=

 

They can cut any design you send them. Mine's not a reverse model for a stamp, just my undergrad logo.

[welfvet]

My dad gave me the one he had made as a young man, with our family crest and arms on it. Very small and yet one can make out that it is our family's when done in a wax seal. I don't wear rings but I use the ring whenever I seal an envelope. I am toying with the idea of following the apparent tradition of refining the arms by 'developing' the original, which I believe was done in a more structured way in the bygone times when sons and daughters married into new families. I believe our crest and arms are the real deal as we have a certificate given to an ancestor confirming the acceptance of the design. Now if only I can discover a long-lost ancestor who holds massive estates and ..... Ah well, can but dream!

 

I was going to add something of personal significance to me and have lots of ideas, but not yet the actual design as my art skills are a tad rubbish. I then want to have a paper embosser made for my stationery that compliments the signet ring. The dexter site looks great but it isn't a cheap enterprise.

[Kaych]

My dad gave me the one he had made as a young man, with our family crest and arms on it. Very small and yet one can make out that it is our family's when done in a wax seal. I don't wear rings but I use the ring whenever I seal an envelope. I am toying with the idea of following the apparent tradition of refining the arms by 'developing' the original, which I believe was done in a more structured way in the bygone times when sons and daughters married into new families. I believe our crest and arms are the real deal as we have a certificate given to an ancestor confirming the acceptance of the design. Now if only I can discover a long-lost ancestor who holds massive estates and ..... Ah well, can but dream!

 

I was going to add something of personal significance to me and have lots of ideas, but not yet the actual design as my art skills are a tad rubbish. I then want to have a paper embosser made for my stationery that compliments the signet ring. The dexter site looks great but it isn't a cheap enterprise.

 

If you are interested, the College of Arms does offer an identification service though they charge a fee. And if you wish to discover how you are related to the person to whom the arms were granted (and perhaps find that rich long lost cousin!) they also provide a service for that. I have no doubt that they probably charge quite a bit!

Edited April 8, 2010 by Kaych

[comolokko]

On 4/7/2010 at 12:21 PM, Stuggi said:

Do you own and use a signet ring? I'm toying with the idea of getting one, but I'm a bit unsure about how to go about it.

 

Are you still looking for this ring? :)

[inkstainedruth]

Not sure how I missed this thread before now.

If I were to get a signet ring, I would use my SCA-registered heraldry.  But I'd be more likely to get a wax seal made instead of a ring, because I don't think a ring would be big enough to show the armory well (and this is JUST the shield -- not any sort of crest, etc.) -- I've drawn it and the charges from it enough over the years that I don't have a problem with it, but I can see someone having trouble with it being small enough to go onto a ring that was small enough for my hand. 

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[XYZZY]

2 hours ago, inkstainedruth said:

Not sure how I missed this thread before now.

 

Probably related to the fact that this was an old post even back when you joined FPN?

 

I don't mind the necro-post, personally; I just learned some cool things by following the references.

[ParramattaPaul]

25 minutes ago, XYZZY said:

 

Probably related to the fact that this was an old post even back when you joined FPN?

 

I don't mind the necro-post, personally; I just learned some cool things by following the references.

'12 YEARS LATER'?  😲

[inkstainedruth]

Well, that's probably a good thing because it means those links are still viable.  Which means that the businesses probably still are viable as well.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth