Why Every Gentleman Should Wear a Signet Ring

The signet ring is a powerful symbol for a gentleman. It's an emblem tying him to his culture, his values, and his deep-rooted ancestry. This is a stark contrast to our world today, where people move aimlessly throughout life, lack standards, and connection. I'm currently in the process of designing a signet ring and a coat of arms for myself and my family. And I thought that this would be a fun topic to explore for all of you gents who are also interested. So in today's video, I'll discuss what a signet ring is, its history, why every gentleman should wear one, how to create one, and how to wear it. A signet ring isn't just another piece of jewelry. It really is your signature. Hi gents, I'm Nick, and welcome to my channel. If you're new here, I share content weekly on a wide variety of gentlemen topics. So if that interests you, click subscribe. So what is a signet ring? Well, a signet ring is a traditional ring worn on either the little finger or the ring finger, and it has an engraved design on it. Usually it's a family coat of arms or a personal crest that identifies the man wearing it. Often when we think of signet rings, we think of aristocrats or old money families that have a long, rich history and tradition, although nowadays I've seen them being worn increasingly as fashion accessories, but the history of these rings runs much deeper. These rings are not just fashion pieces. They were originally used as literal signatures. For centuries, these rings served as a seal of authority of the ring bearer. Merchants, statesmen, and families pressed their ring into hot wax to seal letters and authorized deals. And these rings have been around for a long time, since antiquity, actually. There are examples of rings that have been found in the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs and go back thousands of years before the time of Christ. And speaking of, signet rings are even mentioned in the Bible. These rings became a symbol of power over the years, and that's why today we still see them being worn by aristocratic families. And while these rings are no longer used to seal documents, they still serve as important symbols of culture and values, and a gentleman should absolutely wear one. In our world today that's full of chaos and disorder, it's crucial that a gentleman does everything he can to stand against the grain, and this is where a signet ring comes into play. A signet ring is the very instrument that grounds a man. Why? Because it's a symbol of who you are, and it's a profession of your values. On the face of this ring lays a crest, a coat of arms, or another design that has an important meaning to you and is tied to a particular set of values. Perhaps there's a motto on it that was created by one of your ancestors or a shield that's been passed down through generations. That design is something that you now carry with you every day in a place where you see it regularly. When you wake up each day and you slide on that ring, it's a gentleman's ritual, and it serves as a daily reminder of where you come from and what you stand for. And I just mentioned ancestors, so the ring also serves as continuity to the past. Whether it was created by one of your ancestors or if it was created with them in mind, it continues the lineage and history of your family from one generation to the next. There's a sense of custodianship that each who wears this ring has a sacred duty to protect it and the honor it represents because of all those men that came before you. This is a powerful weapon, especially in today's world where there's such an egregious lack of standards and disregard for the past. And that brings up another point, that this ring is an important element of your family's culture and tradition. From the design to how it's worn, there are certain rules that are unique to you and your family. These rings can have particular rites of passage or rituals with them too. For example, I mentioned that I'm currently designing a signet ring and a coat of arms for my family and I. And one of the things that I'd like to do is have this rite of passage where I present this ring to my sons when they turn 16 as a symbol that they are now a man and have important standards to uphold. This is one small piece that ties who you are to where you come from and where you're going. So now that I've convinced you to wear one, the big question is how do I design a signet ring and where do I purchase one? The most important activity in all of this is that you need to sit down and reflect on what your family and what you stand for. Research your family history, figure out where did you come from, what did your ancestors accomplish and what culture are you? Once you determine that, you can create a design that exemplifies your values. Then you can easily find a graphic designer online on sites like Upwork or Fiverr or someplace else who can help you design it. Once you have the design, you need to choose a ring type and shape and rings come in all different shapes, sizes and colors. Rings can be oval, square and circle and they can be made out of silver, gold or rose gold. So take your pick. The last thing you need to do is decide on the engraving. It can be done the traditional way in talio, meaning it's cut deep and it's in reverse so it can leave a seal and wax. You can also do a surface monogram that's lasered in or a deep cut, but just not in reverse. So the emblem can be read when you look at it. If you want to buy one, the best thing for you to do is to do your research, to find a bespoke engraver or a trusted jeweler, or you can buy a blank and engrave it locally. The way I'm going about it initially is that I've looked around on Etsy for an engraver. There are several with great reviews. My plan is to use one of them for the first version and then eventually find a high end place to craft the final design. One last caveat before we move on is that if you are designing a coat of arms, while you can design them on your own, the preferred option is to have them granted to you so they are legitimate and legal. Every country is different, but in Canada and the United Kingdom, this is handled by our respective heraldic associations on behalf of the King. And these are granted to us as an official state honor. The other thing too, is that I was reading the Canadian heraldic website and there's a laundry list of rules, requirements and regulations. So there's a lot to keep in mind if you do decide to go this route, but you can certainly design one for personal use. And that doesn't lessen the value and meaning that it would have for you and your family. Okay, now you have your ring and it's time to wear it, but you're not sure how. Here's a few tips. Number one, wear it on the correct finger. A signet ring is either worn on the little finger or it's worn on the ring finger. Either hand can work. So choose one that's comfortable for you. For example, I currently wear a ring on my right hand finger. I wear it there because I know someday I'm going to have a wedding band on my left hand and I don't want to have two rings on one hand. So that's my preference. I wear it on the right. Number two, keep it simple. Let the signet ring be your only ring until it feels natural. Don't go over the top with multiple rings. Don't flaunt it and try to keep the design modest, at least in the beginning. Number three, and this is a big one, match your metals. If you're wearing a gold ring, then wear a gold chain or bracelet, et cetera. Conversely, if you're wearing a silver ring, wear jewelry to match. Don't mess this one up because it's an obvious fashion faux pas. Number four, dress code. You can wear your ring with whatever dress you want, i.e tailored suits or smart casual. However, it may look a little bit out of place if you're wearing a very luxurious, almost ostentatious ring with a t-shirt and jeans. Number five, grooming matters. If you're wearing this ring, then dress well and be well groomed. That's a given. Number six, take it off for the gym and other places where it may risk damage and clean it regularly to maintain its luster. And the last and most important thing to remember is live up to the expectation. Like I've said throughout this entire video, these rings are not simple jewelry. They are a code of values, culture, and tradition. So ensure you're living up to it. And that's it. That's why every modern gentleman should wear a signet ring. I hope all of you found this video interesting and let me know in the comments below if you wear one. Thanks for watching.