ACCESSORIES

SIGNET RING-An Essential and Timeless Accessory for the Stylish Gent

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Back in the days, the signet ring was worn by wealthy aristocrats, politicians, or religious leaders. They were completed with the wearer’s signature that had been mirrored plus the initials or coat of arm.

Signet RingMen’s signet rings have now become a kind of fashion piece, today it is considered the gentleman’s ring.

Most people do not have any idea about signet rings. If you are one of them,

That’s not a problem…
…because you’re reading this you’re about to learn more in 10 minutes what over 90% of the new generation of men don’t know.

Please sit back, relax and learn about the signet ring and why you should have one.

I recently had a style consultation meeting with Ken – a new client of KOBI KOACHMAN whom I had met a few months ago at a workshop I attended in Germany.

Ken was planning to attend his cousin’s wedding the following week, so he reached out to me to style him in an appropriate wedding guest attire for the wedding.

During my pre-consultation meeting with Ken over Skype, I tried to understand his lifestyle, needs, and expectations in order to prepare a bespoke styling and shopping plan specific to his need. I gathered from our discussion that he prefers a simple but elegant type of dressing.

So I suggested dressing him in Sprezzatura style [the Italian art of studied carelessness and effortless style] while accentuating the style with few accessories using a combination of nautical trend bracelets and gold-encrusted bracelets and finishing it off with a Gold Signet Ring.

signet ring

To summarize the look, I had to empower him with a style that will not only look nice but also stand out from the crowd.

The details:–

signet ring

 

It came out fantastic as I had envisaged. He wrote to me the following day after the wedding and said…

“Mr. Kobi! I can’t describe exactly how amazing it felt wearing the complete outfit, especially the signet ring, I felt like an Italian billionaire stylish boss in movies. I was on top of the world”.
More than the dressing, he said he really loved the flirtatious advances and compliments he received from a lot of beautiful ladies at the wedding reception, and he said the extra sauce which did the magic for him was that single gold ring on his ‘pinky’ finger – the signet ring.

signet ring

 

So I decided to write this article to show you different types of signet rings with the comparison from modern to antique as well as giving you some rules to adhere to while wearing them.

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Let’s first take a look back in history and examine the background of this amazing ring. Shall we?

HISTORY OF THE SIGNET RING

Ancient kings used signet rings to designate authority, honour, or ownership. It is usually owned by a certain family and passed over through generation. This type of ring was very popular among Kings, Popes, and people of very high nobility. The ring was used as a seal to represent its owner – similar to a signature.

signet ring

Back then, men would wear it on the ‘pinky’ finger of the left hand and stamp it on hot wax to sign documents and seal letters. These days, they are no longer used in this way. Although many still wear them bearing their family crest or coat of arms. Even to this day, signet rings are still seen as a symbol of wealth and status.

This sign of nobility has now been adopted by the fashion world as a choice for a man who wants to make a fashion statement. A trend that is very much in line with the well-to-do gentleman. This reborn appeal of classy signet ring is going strong and quite popular nowadays among stylish gentlemen.

signet ring

 

 

TYPES OF SIGNET RING

Let’s categorize the Signet Ring into two types namely – The Original Signet Ring and the MODERN Signet Rings.
The fact that I labelled the original signet ring “original” doesn’t make the modern signet ring “fake”.

The major difference between both is actually in the seal. The Original signet ring is the antique type that was used by the ancient Egyptians over 4000 years ago. Those types were completed with the sign properly mirrored.

signet ring

Old Byzantine Signet Ring

Since at least the 16th century there have also been pseudo-signet rings where the engraving is not reversed (mirror image), as it should be if the impression is to be read correctly.

The more recent signet rings now do not have that kind of signature because the engraving is not made in the mirror style anymore. It would be quite impossible to find or to own the original or antique signet rings since most of them are either in the museum or kept safely in a restricted area.

Although you can buy the modern signet rings with or without your own personalized information. Here are some more recent types and designs below :

 

 

 

FOUR (4) SIMPLE RULES ON WEARING SIGNET RING

signet ring

1. The traditional finger to wear the signet ring is actually on the pinky finger of either your dominant hand or your non-dominant hand.

Personally, I prefer the dominant hand. Same with my watch – check out the watch rules here.

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So, if you’re right-handed, the signet ring will go on the right pinkie alongside a matching wristwatch on the hand, while your bracelets and a wedding ring (if you are married) will go on your left and non-dominant hand… and vice versa.

 

2. Do not wear a signet ring on the same hand or on the same finger as your wedding ring

Do NOT wear it together with your wedding band either on the same finger or on the same hand.

Traditionally, the “ring finger” on the left hand has always been the location for a wedding band. However, in some cultures, the wedding ring is worn on the “ring finger” of the right hand.

Nevertheless, you should avoid wearing your “wedding ring” on the same hand as the signet ring. If you wear your wedding band on the left 4th finger i.e. the ring finger, then you may wear your signet ring on the right pinky finger. The same rule applies if you wear your wedding band on your right 4th finger, then you should wear it on your left pinky finger.

 

3. The signet ring can be worn on your wedding “ring” finger

You could replace your traditional gold wedding band with a gold signet ring – if your spouse doesn’t have any problem with that . This tradition is usually common among the British royal family where the use of the left pinky finger as the wedding ring and royal signet is shrouded in family secrecy.

 

4. Only wear the signet ring style that is appropriate for the occasion or your style of dressing.

There are different types of signet rings – some with engravings that are work-appropriate (your initials, simple stone etc) and those that are casual (engravings such as Skulls, Star of David) and they come in different colours as well – silver, black, gold etc.

Choose the right type depending on the occasion and your personality.

signet ring

Richard Branson

FINAL THOUGHTS

I believe this article has inspired you to include this one simple but exquisite accessory in your dressing to complete your style and to always stand out.

However, if you are still not convinced, please take some time off from whatever you are doing and watch the movie Kingsman-The Secret Service. While you are at it, you should pay close attention to the gold ring on the pinky finger (the little finger) of Agent Harry Hart (played by Colin Firth) as well as that of every other Kingsman agent, including their leader Chester King (played by Michael Cain).

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Asides from the clean-cut and fitted suit, the signet ring was their signature style throughout the movie.

signet ring

Please feel free to drop your comments and contributions in the comment section below and share the story of your ring. Your feedback helps us improve and serve you better. You could also write to me – services@kobikoachman.com if you have inquiries or you are interested in any of our products or services we offer.

For more daily Style Inspirations and Lessons to inspire your image and lifestyle, do follow us on Instagram & Twitter (see handle below).

Thank you so much for stopping by. Till you hear from me again, continue to Do Well. Live Well and Dress Really Well. Be Classy!

Yours in Style,

Kobi O. Mbagwu (Mr. Kobi)
Founder, MrKoachman.com
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Mr. Kobi

My name is Kobi O. Mbagwu, a professional image consultant, menswear style expert, and entrepreneur who uses fashion, style and clothing as key tools in transforming ordinary men into extraordinary classy gentlemen. My personal goal is to help gentlemen dress better, live well, do well and develop a unique personal style that matches their lifestyle and goals. I believe that success can be built through style. I believe that fashion is a tool that can be used to change people’s lives positively. I also strongly believe that if you dress well, you look good, and if you look good, you feel good and when you feel good, you worry less, and the less you worry the more you are able to stay motivated and focused on your goals pursuit and by so doing you are able to live a more fulfilling and successful life.

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My name is Kobi O. Mbagwu, a professional image consultant, menswear style expert, and entrepreneur who uses fashion, style and clothing as key tools in transforming ordinary men into extraordinary classy gentlemen. My personal goal is to help gentlemen dress better, live well, do well and develop a unique personal style that matches their lifestyle and goals. I believe that success can be built through style. I believe that fashion is a tool that can be used to change people’s lives positively. I also strongly believe that if you dress well, you look good, and if you look good, you feel good and when you feel good, you worry less, and the less you worry the more you are able to stay motivated and focused on your goals pursuit and by so doing you are able to live a more fulfilling and successful life.

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