The signet ring is a stylish, but very controversial piece of jewelry. They can either complement the image of a brutal alpha male or a sophisticated esthete aristocrat, or fatally destroy the structure of the bow.
Much depends on what kind of signet you choose, what and where you will wear it with, and how you will combine it with other jewelry on your fingers. Although people who are far from the strictest business dress codes need not be afraid: in recent years, fashion has taken a sharp turn and has become much more loyal to jewelry lovers of both sexes.
Let's look at which finger and hand men wear the signet on and how to choose the right one for this stylish piece of jewelry that has survived thousands of years.
What is a signet?
A signet ring is a type of ring, that is, a finger decoration with a clearly defined central element. But if a classic ring bears a large stone in a setting, then the central element of the signet is a platform on which all kinds of symbols are depicted.
Modern signets are sometimes produced with blank shields. It is assumed that the owner himself will put the desired symbol on it. Well, not exactly himself, of course, but he will order it from an engraver or jeweler.
The etymology of the word “signet” is clearly visible even to a non-specialist - it goes back to the word “seal”. And this is not a coincidence, but a reflection of the essence of the subject. Signet rings were once used to certify documents and seal letters with impressions on wax or sealing wax.
Men's steel ring (go to SUNLIGHT catalogue)
Signet rings were known in Ancient China, Greece, the Roman Empire, and during the heyday of Byzantium they became widespread. Later they came to Europe, and in the Middle Ages, almost every noble family acquired rings that were worn by all men of a noble family.
The image on the signet could display:
- noble coat of arms;
- owner's monogram;
- merchant's mark;
- professional guild badge;
- a symbol of a community (often secret) to which the owner belonged.
Such decorations never went beyond the family and were passed on from generation to generation.
Previously, a man with a signet on his finger was instantly associated with a certain privilege: power, wealth and strength. As a rule, this was a representative of an aristocratic family (possibly the head of the clan), a wealthy merchant or a member of an influential guild.
Rings with recognizable symbols were worn by members of secret societies (for example, the same Freemasons) and students of prestigious European universities. Signets of clergy can be included in a separate group.
Unfortunately, at some point in time (especially in the dashing nineties), these stylish jewelry for the powers that be began to be associated with criminal structures. However, now signets are gradually regaining their aristocratic flair and are once again becoming symbols of real men with a high position in society. And each of us determines this place for ourselves!
Prices
You can buy a ring for 35 thousand US dollars if it is an exclusive handmade designer accessory, and for 200 rubles if it is stainless steel on Aliexpress. The cost of men's gold signets ranges from 5,000 rubles. up to 1,500,000 rub. (and higher), depending on the standard of gold, the presence of images, engravings and inserts of precious stones.
So, in the All store, simple rings will cost 5-7 thousand rubles, and gold rings with onyx and zirconium cost from 14 thousand rubles. And prices will rise along with the appearance of more expensive stones in rings, more intricate patterns, an increase in the weight of the metal, as well as depending on the eliteness and brand of the product (and there are several dozen of them in All - domestic and foreign).
In the same ALL, silver rings are sold in the price range of 500-50,000 rubles, and the numbers, as in the case of men's signet rings made of gold, correlate with the presence/absence of stones, complexity of manufacture, weight, as well as the prestige of the manufacturer. Also here you can choose stylish men's signets from various alloys and steel.
Separately, it is worth mentioning the prices on Aliexpress. Here they are more than affordable (from 100 rubles) and you can choose a completely decent option for ridiculous money. There are also antique stores and various auctions where completely exclusive antique rings and signets are sold, and the cost can be very low or sky-high, depending on the historical and jewelry value.
How to wear a signet correctly?
Typically, men wear a gold signet on their ring or little finger. Most likely, the influence of European traditions is observed here. For example, French aristocrats historically wear a signet on their left hand, on the ring finger. Thus, heads of families and eldest sons-heirs once wore clan signs, and the rest of the men of the surname could wear a signet on their right hand, ring finger or little finger.
Now a lot has changed, fashion has become ten times more loyal, and the signet has lost its significance as a sign of gender. Increasingly, you can find jewelry with personalized marks or symbols, which are chosen by the owner in accordance with his inner beliefs.
A modern men's signet is worn on almost any finger, and sometimes even shares space on it with another ring. Some men put on several signets at once, on adjacent fingers. But you need to understand that fashion trends are one thing, and office dress code is completely different.
Men's steel ring with enamel in the SUNLIGHT catalog
It is hardly worth wearing seals at all to important negotiations with potential business partners or to work in the office of a reputable company. The exception is actors, artists, showmen, IT workers and other people whose professional activities allow them some liberties.
The signet ring can be worn with the shield inward or outward. However, it is considered correct for a man to wear a signet in such a way that the image on it is clearly readable by his interlocutor. A kind of self-presentation that complements the official acquaintance!
The meaning of signets on different fingers
As we said above, there are currently no strict rules regarding the position of the signet on a man’s hand, but there are some recommendations. For example, for little fingers it is worth choosing rings that are less voluminous than for other fingers. This is especially critical for those with graceful small hands and long musical fingers.
The meaning of fingerprints for men is very diverse. First of all, it is determined by the symbol depicted on the shield, and only secondly by the position on the hand. Moreover, the location of the ring is more important from the point of view of psychology and palmistry than from cultural traditions.
Thumb
The thumb is, to put it mildly, not a classic location for any man’s ring, much less a signet. This is despite the fact that in many ancient cultures the thumb was considered a natural phallic symbol, and under the control of Mars.
Once upon a time, archers who preferred the Mongolian style of shooting (using the thumb) wore rings this way. But more often they wore classic rings with precious stones, and when all the other fingers were also occupied with jewelry. So what? At the French court during the time of Louis XIV, it was quite acceptable for even men to decorate all fingers with rings.
In the middle of the last century, thumb rings were strongly associated with the LGBT community. At that time there was no universal tolerance for people of non-traditional sexual orientation, and they communicated their preferences in a way that was not obvious to the uninitiated.
Modern guys rarely wear a signet on their thumb. Firstly, it is not very convenient, and secondly, it may be misunderstood by others.
Forefinger
The signet on the index finger of a man’s hand reveals a powerful and uncompromising person, capable of achieving goals by any means, even cruel and illegal. This is a symbol of absolute power. Many monarchs and generals of the past wore rings on the “finger of Jupiter”.
Nowadays, the aristocrats who survived the tsunami of universal democracy do not declare themselves in such a provocative way. So the signet on the index finger can be more often seen in men who imagine themselves to be the rulers of the Universe, but in fact are burdened with a huge number of complexes.
Middle finger
The finger of Saturn is the center of the hand, therefore it is believed that people who are balanced and self-confident, but without excessive self-confidence and a tendency to self-admiration, wear jewelry on it. They take criticism well, know how to weigh their own actions and calculate their consequences.
This is a completely normal, although not canonical, position of the signet, acceptable in society, so if you really want to, feel free to put the ring on your middle finger. If the ring finger is occupied by a wedding ring made of the same metal, the result will be a completely harmonious composition for a city bow.
It is believed that by putting a silver signet on the middle finger, a person gradually gains wisdom and prudence. Gold jewelry helps develop willpower and perseverance.
Ring finger
Traditionally, the ring finger, ruled by Apollo, is considered the optimal place for an engagement ring. However, if a man is not married, this place of honor can be taken by a signet with the personal symbol of the owner, his monogram or the coat of arms of the family.
If you have a wedding ring, it is not necessary to remove it: you can place the ring on the ring finger of the opposite hand. In Russia, men traditionally wear wedding bands on their right hand, so the signet will be on the left, like the French aristocrats.
The “Fisherman's Ring” is the only jewelry that the Pope is allowed to wear. It is a signet ring that the pontiff wears on his ring or little finger. After the death of the Pope, the ring is destroyed, and a new ring is made for his successor.
Gold men's ring with cubic zirconia (go to the SUNLIGHT catalogue)
Little finger
The little finger is another classic place for a signet ring: it looks most organic on this finger. This position is not too provocative, especially if we are talking about laconic decoration of a discreet volume. Moreover: even Prince Charles wears a ring with the coat of arms of the British crown in this way.
However, the image of a man with a ring on his little finger is often associated with crime, which was greatly facilitated by the resounding success of the film “The Godfather”. Later, this trend was picked up by the dashing bros from the 90s and off we go.
What metals are wedding rings made from?
As for materials, traditionally wedding signet rings are made of gold, platinum, and silver. Men often prefer not classic yellow gold, but discreet and aristocratic white gold. Jewelry that harmoniously combines two or three materials looks interesting - such a composition looks original and becomes the highlight of the image.
Titanium and steel signets are suitable for young people. Steel looks no worse than silver, but is much more budget-friendly, and such models sometimes look very interesting. Jewelers offer massive, deliberately rough products made from durable and almost eternal titanium - this is an option for those who are not afraid to stand out from the crowd. Original designs are made from a combination of titanium and gold, with diamonds as inserts.
What about women?
Since ancient times, signets were considered exclusively men's jewelry, but in recent years women have decided to keep up with the stronger half of humanity. Now signets adorn not only strong men’s hands, but also graceful women’s fingers.
A few seasons ago, gold seals from Dior appeared with the house’s favorite motifs: bees, clovers, stars and others like them. This trend was picked up by other fashion houses, offering fans a whole range of signets that add sophisticated layers and a fair amount of audacity to urban looks.
Prince Charles gave one of the most famous women's signets in history to Princess Diana. Now other British aristocrats, for example, Pippa Middleton and Meghan Markle, wear similar jewelry.
If aristocrats prefer to wear not too large signets on their little and ring fingers, then world celebrities are not so restrained. They can combine these jewelry with other rings on one finger and put on several large signets at once, literally strewing their well-groomed hands with them.
Silver
The second noble metal after gold, products from which are loved by men. Nowadays, silver figure signets are at the peak of their popularity, striking with their bold design proposals, but there are not so many traditional classic silver signets. Benefits of silver. A strong metal that rarely lends itself to transformation. It will be a wonderful addition to both business and casual style. Usually it is loved by young people who are still in search of themselves or financial stability. It is believed that this metal rejuvenates the body. Many people give advantages to silver through its unique properties: silver is a wonderful antiseptic that kills bacteria, reduces pain, purifies and saturates water with its molecules, helps blood clot and stop bleeding, and the like. Disadvantages of silver . Over time, silver tarnishes, so it needs care and cleaning. This metal does not combine with all stones. Amethyst, emerald, and jade suit him best, but diamond, ruby, and turquoise do not go well with silver at all. Silver is not for everyone. Thus, hypertensive people, emotionally unbalanced and depressed people are prohibited from wearing silver, because it worsens their unstable state of health.
Orthodox
Let's move from mysticism to religion. Orthodox rings are in demand no less than pectoral crosses. This decoration is necessarily consecrated, which gives it special power. Smooth rings almost never appear on sale. But there are products on which quotes from the Bible, prayer books, etc. are written.
The history of religious rings goes back to time immemorial. With the advent of Christianity, jewelry of this kind began to be worn almost after baptism. In the 17th century religious samples for protection were offered to newlyweds at the wedding. Such products were not sold in shops and jewelry workshops. They were made in monasteries, and the material of the ring could be any. Today it is most often silver with blackening, on which biblical quotes and words of protection are written.
Steel
A budget option for signets that is most loved by young people. Due to their visual similarity to silver, models made from this metal are not inferior in originality and sophistication. True, steel signets are not suitable for everyone. Agree, a wealthy man with a steel seal on his finger will look at least funny. The benefits are permanent . The resemblance to silver makes steel models popular, but they are financially accessible to many. Stainless steel is strong and does not require special care. The disadvantages are constant . Steel signets as an accessory complement the relaxed everyday style of clothing. Due to the recent popularity in the jewelry business, low-quality permanent fakes are increasingly found, which subsequently lose their aesthetic appearance and harm human health. Signets made of titanium, tungsten, ceramics or leather are less popular and therefore not in demand among buyers.
Platinum
Platinum is no less popular. Platinum jewelry emphasizes the wealth, solidity and status of the owner. Therefore, signets made of platinum in combination with gold are a sign of prosperity and individuality. Benefits of platinum . Platinum as a metal is stronger than gold and silver. It cannot be transformed, does not fade, does not scratch. This is a wear-resistant metal that is not susceptible to damage. Best paired with diamonds. Disadvantages of platinum . In the jewelry business, platinum and gold products are the most expensive, which is why they are not available to everyone.
