Great video ! The French actually have rules for where finger to wear your signet ring : the eldest son wears it on his left ring finger, and the other children on the right pinky. If you are single, you put the symbol/crest to face the person you are talking to, so when they salute you they know you’re not married/in couple. If you’re taken, the crest faces you to show you are closed to new loves. Thanks for reading !
That's very interesting. Honestly I plan on getting a signet ring made this or next year I'm descendent of nobles from France and England technically it's the same family line for both the married royalty in England. I'm not really sure if I should use the old crest or If I should make a fully new crest or I could possibly use aspects of the original crest on the new one. I'm descendent of the Pomeroy family they originally were from France but they were friends with the king of England and were given land alot of people will know of their castle its supposedly the most haunted castle either in the world or in the United Kingdom Honestly I love learning about history.
How do you make the crest face the person you are talking to? Does that mean the stone should face the inside of the hand if you are taken, effectively keeping it down and hidden most of the time?
@@AR15ORIGINAL This rule is generally more for rings with crests rather than stones. The crest has an up and down, in such manner that depending how you wear it you can look at it in the right way or with the bottom being at the top. If you are taken you do the first way : you place your ring so when you simply lift your hand you will be able to look at it in the right position (while those facing you will see it with the bottom of the sign being at the top). Logically, if you are single, you put the symbol the other way around, so when you look at your hand the crest has its bottom at the top, but the person facing you sees it in the right position.
I seldom wear it, but I do have a signet ring. My family traces its lineage back to around 900 AD, and was granted its coat of arms in the early 1400s, so most males and some females from my family have been wearing signet rings through the centuries. Mine is a solid ring, engraved to impress our family crest onto sealing wax... I never used it as such, but I can assure you my uncle sealed every letter he wrote with sealing wax and his signet up to the late 1980s when he passed away. I live in Italy, and I don't know if it's the norm here (not many people wear signet rings, you're right) or if it's a family quirk, but we all wear it on the pinky finger, but either the left or right according to personal preference (I prefer right myself).
I've always found it affectatious and vulgar to wear such an accoutrement in a normal social context, though I would understand wearing it in other circumstances. Using it as your late uncle did is perfectly acceptable because it is a private affair and it is quite different to the typical "nobiltà decaduta" attitude (basking in former glory (though I wonder which glory and honour is there in the first place if the family is linked to the treacherous Savoia) in an antithetical fashion to everything that stands for understatement, virtus and pietas, which should be leitmotifs of the nobilitas).
I am part of an aristocratic family in Britain, I received my signet ring with my families coat of arms. We were given our aristocratic titles in the early 1400’s. I only wear it to certain occasions. For everyday life I have a lapis lazuli signet ring.
I wish i had somewhat of a heritage like that to be able to use one. But my family were just farmers from Puerto Rico even if we had one dont think it means nothing today. Yet, to conserve it is concerving your herritage and thats something beautiful to me.
Emmanuel Burgos as an English person from a family with a long heritage I can assure you that anyone in the higher workings of are society would never ever show off there wealth or titles it's very poor taste to do so and very volger most lords and people who have such things will never ever do so in an attempt to show off it's just bad taste to do so
Pastor Flaps i never saw it that way and i understand what you mean 100%. I just see it as simething to take pride in but not to snob about wealth or nobility. I do see what you mean especially if the ethical value of the nobility of the family was not quite good.
To those who live in the Netherlands, it's rather cheap to buy your way into the blue book. That way you can legitimise a family crest if you want. Moreover when one applies for the blue book it will be easier to get into contact with others in the book and as of such your family will become more legitimate. Through this way you can get your family crest nationally legitimised
Jack Van Landeghem zou ik niet per se weten, maar volgens mij kan men daar nogsteeds geridderd worden, dus het lijkt mij dat het op zijn minst vele malen duurder is om jezelf naar binnen te kopen
I have an heirloom signet ring with our family crest, i wear it on my middle finger (like my father and grandfather did) because according to my grandfather it shows our dedication to duty and honor as a military family. Our signet also has a chevron on it for dedicated abd faithful service, or so i've been told.
I've stopped wearing rings with casual clothings, but with suits, I wear a "signet" ring with my "fraternity's" monogram (note that I only use the term "fraternity" due to lack of an anglophone equivalent to a Studentenverbindung), though it's just etched, rather than engraved.
Signet-rings aren't really a thing outside of Europe and North America, but in Asia, it's common (especially in Chinese, Japanese & Korean communities) for people to have their own seals with their names engraved on them. When my brother and I had our 18th birthdays, our parents gave us our own seals (made of soapstone, the most traditional material) with our names engraved on them in Chinese characters, so that we could sign documents, etc. I still use mine all the time. I've always wanted a signet-ring...
@@wasdx-_9258 family crests and signet-rings. You don't see them in Asia, for example. I mean you can make your own, but it doesn't have the same traditions that it does in Europe.
Well done video. My father’s signet ring with the family armes was lost, so I did a great deal of research and settled on Dexter Rings Ltd., Kent, England to make one for both my wife and me, and later for my sons when they became adults. Their craftsmen/artists are impeccable and they have been producing beautiful signet rings in many styles (traditional and modern) and with various materials for a very long time. Email communication between Dexter in England and my home in the U.S. made design approval easy and payment straight forward. They are familiar with the heraldry requirements from different countries. Mine is a French, reverse signet ring that can be used for making seals and I wear mine on my right ring finger as I have a wedding band on my left ring finger. My family celebrated its millennium a few years back, and as the chef (head) of my family, wearing a signet ring, even in this day and age, is an important tradition. My ring has a ducal crown, while my sons’ have a count’s coronet. My ring will be passed to my oldest son when I am gone to become his. I hope that all my sons will pass on their rings to their children and craft new ones for their sons and/or daughters.
Getting a letter sealed in wax is one of the best things. Most letters have an adhesive now but you don't have to use it, or use it and then put wax on it. Cracking wax to open a letter is just so satisfying.
@@2ndhorseman You can, you just need to have all of the other things needed for a letter. I have gotten letters in the mail with a wax seal on it before.
I think the reason to leave the back of the ring behind the stone open is this: As a result of the common shape and weight distribution of a signet ring, it is very likely to turn on your finger, especially on the pinky. In order to prevent that, a properly executed signet ring should be hollow behind the stone or engraving plate. Greetings from Germany.
i think its also because alot of signets after a certain point were not solid metal but tended to have a gemstone/shell face as people started leaning into cameo and gems more so with cameo you want to be able to wash and clean it but also you want to be able to see the front and back of the gem or mineral used to check for cracking and drying so having the back open helps alot with that and also like you said means it's more comfortable to wear and won't start turning although if the ring is sized properly it shoulden't be able to turn it should slide on and stay but easy to take off
I use my husband's signet ring - handed down, has our noble crest - to make seals on cards and gifts all the time. I'd have my own but I can't settle on the style of ring or other accessory that I want. I think it's a fairly normal thing among noble families in Sweden still. Also the stacking of the rings on the pinky finger is still a thing, but only if you were in the calvary. Closing off the back of the ring with metal also, I think, makes it more difficult to replace the stone if it gets cracked.
My family has a signet ring with the family coat of arms. It has been passed down to my grand father and now to my father. When he passes away, it will be passed down to me. I think its a great honour to wear it. Loved this video!
As a graduation gift My family had a gold signet ring made for me with our family coat of arms and I love it. I wear suits every day so It is a great accessory depending on the day.
Latinoamerican here, as soon as I get a new Job, i'm Going to start saving up for one. My class ring got stolen and thus an accessory that i had turned into a conversation piece and part of my outfit was lost, so now i look forwards to getting my silver signet ring with my family crest inlaid in Gold definetly not useful for letters but as a way to carry my family name
Nice video. I'm currently in the process of getting a gold signet ring made. I'm using old family wedding bands melted down into it to give it meaning and just going with a classy initial on the face
After watching this video I’m going to design a signet ring that I can pass to my son. Thank you for this video and the support for doing something that allows me to honor my family’s service and heritage.
My goodness, what a terrific excellent. Very charming and engaging. I was drawn in every moment to what was being said. Thank you, sir, for this video. It is an affirmation of the Signet that I just purchased.
I inherited a small gold signet ring from my dad with our Scottish family crest. Apparently sometimes he actually used it with the wax sealing method for his letter and the post office got po'd at him because the letters disrupted the sorting machines.
I don't wear a signet ring currently, although it's on my to-do list to have on made. I do have a brass seal though and use it to seal all my letters with wax or seal papers. I know it's somewhat anachronistic, but it's always received positive comments from recipients and has helped me to gain some business relationships.
Thank you for binging us this fantastic series. I need this education. I have to resist the temptation to binge watch. Alas I don't always succeed. Very grateful to you. All the best to you and yours.
Thank you very much for that video! I found it very entertaining and informative. I do mostly agree with you. But I have to add to your notion, that one may always start a new tradition. You are completely right about that. But there are quite precise rules to choosing a coat of arms. Most importantly it needs to be unique. Checking for yourself can be very tedious and also very unreliable. Therefore anyone who is thinking about founding a new coat of arms should contact a heraldic association. Those will consult you on how to proceed according to the rules of heraldry and tradition.
Interesting overview. Although I wear my class ring which is not strictly speaking a signet, I've always liked them. A couple of points: --I actually do know some men who use thier signet rings to make impressions on wax seals: Bishops, although some of them have a separate seal made so that that ring does not have to be used. ---Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia, is to the best of my knowledge the only U.S. college or university that has for their class ring a signet ring with a reversible seal (I'm not an alumnus of that school but found that interesting).
Very interesting video about signet rings, thank you. The history is fascinating and shows how signet rings played such an important role in ensuring authenticity. Interestingly, there is a common misconception that a coat of arms is something that has to be handed down and cannot be created as a new thing. In the U.K., the Republic of Ireland and Canada anyone can ‘petition’ certain bodies to be granted a coat of arms, this is also open to anyone with ancestors from the U.K. and Republic of Ireland. So if you really do want to get a bona ride coat of arms you really can! (Note I don’t know how this works in other countries so am only commenting in relation to the U.K. RoI and Canada.)
This video is great! I did watch this last year, but came back now with a request: It would be fantastic if you could make a video about cleaning and treating rings and cufflinks with gem stones. Fort Belvedere for example offers accessories with malachite and onyx which are sensitive materials. How do you clean or polish them? Can you use ultrasonic cleaners? What differences do you keep in mind when treating the different stones? In case you have made one already, a link would be wonderful! Greetings from Germany :)
Nice and informative video. I was curious as to which finger to wear the signet ring, as, like you, I wear my wedding band on my left ring finger. I am considering getting a signet ring with my university's crest. Again, thank you for the video.
If you look at old court documents you'll often see a mark in which there's a little space and they'll do a squiggle around it and then they'll write the word "Seal." That is because in legal documents either a member of the nobility or a train educated clerk who also was usually a son of the Lesser nobility when use that seal to mark that he was signing his document. The use of the Signet made it official-- just as historic Municipal documents or foreign treaties even in this day are often still marked with a large wax seal. The irony is that even now when someone is unable to write or sign their name the document is often marked his(X)mark And I have had some of those in my hands in the past. That is similar to the way the spaces would be left on those documents in the old days for the wax seal to be applied. It is said that in legal documents they do not understand why a certain symbol is utilized. It looks like a pair of s has one above the other but then we're the bottom of the upper s in the top of the lower s Loop into each other. The only thing that would lead me to think that this is not actually a seal is the fact that it's usually put at the beginning of legal citations. Otherwise one could easily see a Royal Proclamation with a seal denoting its Noble origin....
The general rule for a sginet ring in UK, Italy, Greece, Spain, Germany, Switzerland (and probably other places in Europe) is traditionally to be worn in the non dominant hand not on the left. Its just so happens usually that is the left hand for most. Winston Churchill in your example did not wear it on his right hand out of a whim but because he was left handed thus right hand was his non dominant hand. :)
I have a bronze Signet, and a silver one that's from the Roman times. They've bin handed down so long now no one know how my family came into them. The one I was told is from between 2,000BC 100BC. an was a lower class mans signet ring. The silver one is a French pinky signet around 500 to 600 YR. old.
I wear mine every day and I use it to seal the lacker on Christmas cards and similar. Other than that it's mostly for looks and of sentimental reasons.
@@gac8054 It was made for me and not inherited but based on an inherited ring (that was lost 2 generations ago) with the family crest. Mine is probably bigger than that one was but i wanted to wear it on the ring finger instead of the pinky. Also mine is solid rather than hollow.
Interesting video, i just came from the goldsmith where i will get my family signet ring made and this video really helped me to decide in which way i want it to be made.
Well. My first signet gonna be made of silver with 1900 years old ancient Roman bronze coin. I believe it's reasonable option for the beginning. It will be ready in 2 weeks 😊
A cousin on my father’s side found our family’s coat of arms from Scotland and I’m planning on having it carved into a ring just to have a personalized piece of jewelry
I jus inherited the family signet ring. This video was helpful. Most men in my family choose to wear it on their left pinkies however as a girl the ring is currently to big to be worn especially on my pinkie.
I wore my husband's great-grandfather's signet ring as a wedding ring on my left index finger (it was too big for my ring finger) until it broke. I'd live to get it fixed, but it broke where there's engraving on the inside of the band.
I have a question would It be weird if I used my family crest even if its not my last name its from generations ago. My family used to be royalty and nobles. Would it be better t I create a new crest and use elements from the others?
I normally just use my more dominant hand or the hand that I use the most. It's easier to show off or when I'm using it to stamp something and or getting into fights.. nobody likes a piece of metal in their face it's like using a convenient brass knuckle almost
You’ve mentioned making pinky rings available at Fort Belvedere before unless I am mistaken, I’d love to see some available from you but can barely imagine the logistical headache that would be for you. Great video as always
Regarding the signet's use, the medieval lords only used the signet ring for personal corespondense only, as they had other, official stamps for the official documentation. Still great video though.
Just watched an Ebay bid end, much to my dismay at not being able to purchase in time myself, for an 18K gold pinky ring with a Tiger's Eye Quartz gemstone
Tradition in my family to recieve a signet ring at 13 years old. I'm on my second as first was lost. All my girls have them. My youngest daughter opted for white gold rather than traditional gold. Mother was not pleased.
Other than the wedding band how many rings do you suggest wearing? I am not married so I wear two and some times three. I wear the third one on my left thumb.
My familly ring is too big for any of my fingers but the idea of attaching it to a pocket watch never crossed my mind. And that comes from a pocket watch collector...Maybe it is because I'm aifraid of it being stolen. Never had problems wearing pocket watches tho. But still, thank you for the idea. It may come in handy to take another approach when designing characters.
I’m graduating next year ( I live in the US) my family doesn’t have a signet ring that’s been passed down, but we do have a coat of arms. I’m think I’ll get one made and wear in on my left pinky and then when married move it to my right pinky. Very informative video, thank you. Do you happen to know where I could get one made in the traditional English style?
The crest in a signet ring should be reversed so that it shows properly when used to seal wax. Even if you don't use it anymore for wax sealing, that it still the correct way.
My Family Name is Rossié. My ancestors where French Refugees (Huguenots) 300 years ago and came to Germany. We have a family crest and when my Grandfather died it was handed to my uncle. I hope I will have it one day. It would make me very proud. It is gold with a light blue stone.,
Simply creating a coat of arms is a no go. It will not fly until it is registered with one of the heraldic associations. There are a few still operating that should be easy enough to find and contact. One is in Scotland, and another in France, though I'm sure the English have their nose in there as well. The reason you must get a coat of arms registered is that all legitimate crest are registered by family name and caste. There are rules to heraldry such as chevrons. Chevrons are reserved for the families of knighthood. Three chevrons are for royalty. There are a set number of fields upon the coat that can be used and there are rules about the colors, (metals and colors). Contact an association and they can help you design an actual coat of arms that may be legally registered and hence owned by your family. If you were thinking about a plain shield with just one symbol or animal upon it.... you may as well forget it. The simpler designs were taken by the more ancient families long ago. A white shield with a plain sable orb.... would be something grabbed pre 1000ce. do a little research and design with actual care and thought. It is your family name after all. Do not disrespect your ancestors with garbage. due the hard work and get it right, then pay the $100 or so to have it registered. Good luck to all. (I know the headache of Heraldry as my family coat of arms runs a fair way back, but as an American I wanted to branch our family line away from both the Norman (Danes) and Scottish (Celts) line to show our uniqueness. It is hard work, but it is worth the effort.)
Good thing my family has a coat of arms and I’m allowed to use it. Thanks this video made my mind up my family’s coat of arms but on my index finger is were it will go
Note that if you see a faceted iron or stainless steel pinky ring on the wearer's writing hand, he is an engineer. I think that's a Canadian thing mostly though. That ring is earned, so don't wear one of those if you're not a Professional Engineer.
Now I have 2 signet rings,1 my wife got for me and the other my Children.I take turns wearing one and the other.On my pinky finger.I absolutely love them.
What if a man wears a gold ring that has a greenish emerald stone on it on his left ring finger? Does this mean a wedding ring? Or is a wedding ring just a band like I’m used to seeing?
@@DanielaFitness if he's, married,wear your wedding ring.always. And wear your signet ring on the other hand.Your wedding Ring is more important 👌. May GOD bless you
Gentlemen no longer wear signet ring as their obsolete, maybe if you inherited it but in the best circles gentlemen dont wear rings of any kind. Usually a signet ring signifies someone who is trying to look "posh". To those who know a signet ring is a dead giveaway of pretention.
Well I just recently got into rings and I bought a ring of a skull in the mall and I wanted to know what type of oppression do you make while wearing a skull rings or just anything that looks cool
my father had a signet ring made, but I'm not really into that stuff, when you are born you are your own man, where you came from is kinda nice to know but it shouldn't define you, Irish were slaves, Africans were slaves... just about everyone outside of the noble class were slaves, should we make everyone that descended from those classed as "born from slavery?" nope
![DDG & G Herbo - Nosey [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/I9Ra0Zc2NlQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Great video ! The French actually have rules for where finger to wear your signet ring : the eldest son wears it on his left ring finger, and the other children on the right pinky. If you are single, you put the symbol/crest to face the person you are talking to, so when they salute you they know you’re not married/in couple. If you’re taken, the crest faces you to show you are closed to new loves. Thanks for reading !
Thank you for sharing Loup. Having been born in Paris I will adopt these customs.
Have a wonderful day. Thanks again.
That's very interesting. Honestly I plan on getting a signet ring made this or next year I'm descendent of nobles from France and England technically it's the same family line for both the married royalty in England. I'm not really sure if I should use the old crest or If I should make a fully new crest or I could possibly use aspects of the original crest on the new one. I'm descendent of the Pomeroy family they originally were from France but they were friends with the king of England and were given land alot of people will know of their castle its supposedly the most haunted castle either in the world or in the United Kingdom Honestly I love learning about history.
Thank you for that info.
How do you make the crest face the person you are talking to? Does that mean the stone should face the inside of the hand if you are taken, effectively keeping it down and hidden most of the time?
@@AR15ORIGINAL This rule is generally more for rings with crests rather than stones. The crest has an up and down, in such manner that depending how you wear it you can look at it in the right way or with the bottom being at the top. If you are taken you do the first way : you place your ring so when you simply lift your hand you will be able to look at it in the right position (while those facing you will see it with the bottom of the sign being at the top). Logically, if you are single, you put the symbol the other way around, so when you look at your hand the crest has its bottom at the top, but the person facing you sees it in the right position.
I seldom wear it, but I do have a signet ring. My family traces its lineage back to around 900 AD, and was granted its coat of arms in the early 1400s, so most males and some females from my family have been wearing signet rings through the centuries. Mine is a solid ring, engraved to impress our family crest onto sealing wax... I never used it as such, but I can assure you my uncle sealed every letter he wrote with sealing wax and his signet up to the late 1980s when he passed away.
I live in Italy, and I don't know if it's the norm here (not many people wear signet rings, you're right) or if it's a family quirk, but we all wear it on the pinky finger, but either the left or right according to personal preference (I prefer right myself).
I've always found it affectatious and vulgar to wear such an accoutrement in a normal social context, though I would understand wearing it in other circumstances. Using it as your late uncle did is perfectly acceptable because it is a private affair and it is quite different to the typical "nobiltà decaduta" attitude (basking in former glory (though I wonder which glory and honour is there in the first place if the family is linked to the treacherous Savoia) in an antithetical fashion to everything that stands for understatement, virtus and pietas, which should be leitmotifs of the nobilitas).
I am part of an aristocratic family in Britain, I received my signet ring with my families coat of arms. We were given our aristocratic titles in the early 1400’s. I only wear it to certain occasions. For everyday life I have a lapis lazuli signet ring.
I wish i had somewhat of a heritage like that to be able to use one. But my family were just farmers from Puerto Rico even if we had one dont think it means nothing today. Yet, to conserve it is concerving your herritage and thats something beautiful to me.
Emmanuel Burgos as an English person from a family with a long heritage I can assure you that anyone in the higher workings of are society would never ever show off there wealth or titles it's very poor taste to do so and very volger most lords and people who have such things will never ever do so in an attempt to show off it's just bad taste to do so
Pastor Flaps i never saw it that way and i understand what you mean 100%. I just see it as simething to take pride in but not to snob about wealth or nobility. I do see what you mean especially if the ethical value of the nobility of the family was not quite good.
To those who live in the Netherlands, it's rather cheap to buy your way into the blue book. That way you can legitimise a family crest if you want. Moreover when one applies for the blue book it will be easier to get into contact with others in the book and as of such your family will become more legitimate. Through this way you can get your family crest nationally legitimised
GeneralKoekwous Hoe zit het in België?
Jack Van Landeghem zou ik niet per se weten, maar volgens mij kan men daar nogsteeds geridderd worden, dus het lijkt mij dat het op zijn minst vele malen duurder is om jezelf naar binnen te kopen
Its unfortunate that not every country has a way of legitimizing ones family Crest or coat of arms.
You can everyone except the UK. The petit nobility got mad when more commoners were making up coats of arms.
@@genli5603 Hahahahahaha
I have an heirloom signet ring with our family crest, i wear it on my middle finger (like my father and grandfather did) because according to my grandfather it shows our dedication to duty and honor as a military family.
Our signet also has a chevron on it for dedicated abd faithful service, or so i've been told.
I've stopped wearing rings with casual clothings, but with suits, I wear a "signet" ring with my "fraternity's" monogram (note that I only use the term "fraternity" due to lack of an anglophone equivalent to a Studentenverbindung), though it's just etched, rather than engraved.
Von welcher studentenverbindung ?:)
@@k.r.9880 Schweizerische Studentenverbindung Helvetia zu Zürich^^
Signet-rings aren't really a thing outside of Europe and North America, but in Asia, it's common (especially in Chinese, Japanese & Korean communities) for people to have their own seals with their names engraved on them.
When my brother and I had our 18th birthdays, our parents gave us our own seals (made of soapstone, the most traditional material) with our names engraved on them in Chinese characters, so that we could sign documents, etc. I still use mine all the time. I've always wanted a signet-ring...
"Signet-rings aren't really a thing outside of Europe and North America", lol what?
@@wasdx-_9258 family crests and signet-rings.
You don't see them in Asia, for example. I mean you can make your own, but it doesn't have the same traditions that it does in Europe.
Well done video. My father’s signet ring with the family armes was lost, so I did a great deal of research and settled on Dexter Rings Ltd., Kent, England to make one for both my wife and me, and later for my sons when they became adults. Their craftsmen/artists are impeccable and they have been producing beautiful signet rings in many styles (traditional and modern) and with various materials for a very long time. Email communication between Dexter in England and my home in the U.S. made design approval easy and payment straight forward. They are familiar with the heraldry requirements from different countries. Mine is a French, reverse signet ring that can be used for making seals and I wear mine on my right ring finger as I have a wedding band on my left ring finger. My family celebrated its millennium a few years back, and as the chef (head) of my family, wearing a signet ring, even in this day and age, is an important tradition. My ring has a ducal crown, while my sons’ have a count’s coronet. My ring will be passed to my oldest son when I am gone to become his. I hope that all my sons will pass on their rings to their children and craft new ones for their sons and/or daughters.
This guy looks like an old G-Eazy
🙁 ohh yeah 😹😹 I just realized that 👁️👁️😸
yes!
Getting a letter sealed in wax is one of the best things. Most letters have an adhesive now but you don't have to use it, or use it and then put wax on it. Cracking wax to open a letter is just so satisfying.
I feel like a wax seal wouldn't withstand modern post practices.
@@2ndhorseman You can, you just need to have all of the other things needed for a letter. I have gotten letters in the mail with a wax seal on it before.
I think the reason to leave the back of the ring behind the stone open is this: As a result of the common shape and weight distribution of a signet ring, it is very likely to turn on your finger, especially on the pinky. In order to prevent that, a properly executed signet ring should be hollow behind the stone or engraving plate.
Greetings from Germany.
i think its also because alot of signets after a certain point were not solid metal but tended to have a gemstone/shell face as people started leaning into cameo and gems more so with cameo you want to be able to wash and clean it but also you want to be able to see the front and back of the gem or mineral used to check for cracking and drying so having the back open helps alot with that and also like you said means it's more comfortable to wear and won't start turning although if the ring is sized properly it shoulden't be able to turn it should slide on and stay but easy to take off
I use my husband's signet ring - handed down, has our noble crest - to make seals on cards and gifts all the time. I'd have my own but I can't settle on the style of ring or other accessory that I want. I think it's a fairly normal thing among noble families in Sweden still. Also the stacking of the rings on the pinky finger is still a thing, but only if you were in the calvary.
Closing off the back of the ring with metal also, I think, makes it more difficult to replace the stone if it gets cracked.
My family has a signet ring with the family coat of arms. It has been passed down to my grand father and now to my father. When he passes away, it will be passed down to me. I think its a great honour to wear it. Loved this video!
Julian Camilleri, that’s cool!
As a graduation gift My family had a gold signet ring made for me with our family coat of arms and I love it. I wear suits every day so It is a great accessory depending on the day.
Did you just say accessory😕
Latinoamerican here, as soon as I get a new Job, i'm Going to start saving up for one. My class ring got stolen and thus an accessory that i had turned into a conversation piece and part of my outfit was lost, so now i look forwards to getting my silver signet ring with my family crest inlaid in Gold definetly not useful for letters but as a way to carry my family name
Sobre todo porque en Latinoamérica los títulos nobiliarios no valen una pepita... 😶
@@fidulario y?
Nice video. I'm currently in the process of getting a gold signet ring made. I'm using old family wedding bands melted down into it to give it meaning and just going with a classy initial on the face
After watching this video I’m going to design a signet ring that I can pass to my son. Thank you for this video and the support for doing something that allows me to honor my family’s service and heritage.
Update?
My goodness, what a terrific excellent. Very charming and engaging. I was drawn in every moment to what was being said. Thank you, sir, for this video. It is an affirmation of the Signet that I just purchased.
I inherited a small gold signet ring from my dad with our Scottish family crest. Apparently sometimes he actually used it with the wax sealing method for his letter and the post office got po'd at him because the letters disrupted the sorting machines.
I don't wear a signet ring currently, although it's on my to-do list to have on made. I do have a brass seal though and use it to seal all my letters with wax or seal papers. I know it's somewhat anachronistic, but it's always received positive comments from recipients and has helped me to gain some business relationships.
Thank you for binging us this fantastic series. I need this education. I have to resist the temptation to binge watch. Alas I don't always succeed. Very grateful to you.
All the best to you and yours.
Thank you very much for that video! I found it very entertaining and informative.
I do mostly agree with you. But I have to add to your notion, that one may always start a new tradition.
You are completely right about that. But there are quite precise rules to choosing a coat of arms.
Most importantly it needs to be unique.
Checking for yourself can be very tedious and also very unreliable.
Therefore anyone who is thinking about founding a new coat of arms should contact a heraldic association.
Those will consult you on how to proceed according to the rules of heraldry and tradition.
Interesting overview. Although I wear my class ring which is not strictly speaking a signet, I've always liked them. A couple of points:
--I actually do know some men who use thier signet rings to make impressions on wax seals: Bishops, although some of them have a separate seal made so that that ring does not have to be used.
---Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia, is to the best of my knowledge the only U.S. college or university that has for their class ring a signet ring with a reversible seal (I'm not an alumnus of that school but found that interesting).
Very interesting video about signet rings, thank you.
The history is fascinating and shows how signet rings played such an important role in ensuring authenticity.
Interestingly, there is a common misconception that a coat of arms is something that has to be handed down and cannot be created as a new thing. In the U.K., the Republic of Ireland and Canada anyone can ‘petition’ certain bodies to be granted a coat of arms, this is also open to anyone with ancestors from the U.K. and Republic of Ireland. So if you really do want to get a bona ride coat of arms you really can! (Note I don’t know how this works in other countries so am only commenting in relation to the U.K. RoI and Canada.)
I wanna look like Don Corleone with my signet ring :p
Been contemplating a family crest ring. Very helpful, thank you very much.
I inherited mine with our family crest. I actually use it so wax seal any cards I send to the family! It's charming...
This video is great! I did watch this last year, but came back now with a request:
It would be fantastic if you could make a video about cleaning and treating rings and cufflinks with gem stones. Fort Belvedere for example offers accessories with malachite and onyx which are sensitive materials. How do you clean or polish them? Can you use ultrasonic cleaners? What differences do you keep in mind when treating the different stones?
In case you have made one already, a link would be wonderful!
Greetings from Germany :)
My family is Italian and we have a pinky ring with our family crest on it made out of silver. Should I wear it?
Nice and informative video. I was curious as to which finger to wear the signet ring, as, like you, I wear my wedding band on my left ring finger. I am considering getting a signet ring with my university's crest. Again, thank you for the video.
In my personal experience, a wax stamp, which can be every bit as personalized and ornate as as a signet ring, is a more practical choice for sealing.
Your wardrobe in this video looks perfect, I would love to have a suit of that same fabric.
I think they’re really cool, I’ve wanted one for a while.
If you look at old court documents you'll often see a mark in which there's a little space and they'll do a squiggle around it and then they'll write the word "Seal." That is because in legal documents either a member of the nobility or a train educated clerk who also was usually a son of the Lesser nobility when use that seal to mark that he was signing his document. The use of the Signet made it official-- just as historic Municipal documents or foreign treaties even in this day are often still marked with a large wax seal.
The irony is that even now when someone is unable to write or sign their name the document is often marked
his(X)mark
And I have had some of those in my hands in the past. That is similar to the way the spaces would be left on those documents in the old days for the wax seal to be applied.
It is said that in legal documents they do not understand why a certain symbol is utilized. It looks like a pair of s has one above the other but then we're the bottom of the upper s in the top of the lower s Loop into each other. The only thing that would lead me to think that this is not actually a seal is the fact that it's usually put at the beginning of legal citations. Otherwise one could easily see a Royal Proclamation with a seal denoting its Noble origin....
The general rule for a sginet ring in UK, Italy, Greece, Spain, Germany, Switzerland (and probably other places in Europe) is traditionally to be worn in the non dominant hand not on the left. Its just so happens usually that is the left hand for most. Winston Churchill in your example did not wear it on his right hand out of a whim but because he was left handed thus right hand was his non dominant hand. :)
Very detailed and in depth. Thank you.
I have a bronze Signet, and a silver one that's from the Roman times. They've bin handed down so long now no one know how my family came into them. The one I was told is from between 2,000BC 100BC. an was a lower class mans signet ring. The silver one is a French pinky signet around 500 to 600 YR. old.
I wear mine every day and I use it to seal the lacker on Christmas cards and similar. Other than that it's mostly for looks and of sentimental reasons.
did you inherit one or have your own designed?
@@gac8054 It was made for me and not inherited but based on an inherited ring (that was lost 2 generations ago) with the family crest.
Mine is probably bigger than that one was but i wanted to wear it on the ring finger instead of the pinky.
Also mine is solid rather than hollow.
Interesting video, i just came from the goldsmith where i will get my family signet ring made and this video really helped me to decide in which way i want it to be made.
i dont understand that reply :)
Hello, im a 19 years old and i learned to engrave Signet rings myself, im currently doing it in a small buisness as employee :D
Excellent video! Informative, to the point and aesthetically pleasing.
In the English tradition the monogram engraved on the little pinkie ring is worn with the monogram facing the wearer or towards the observer?
Well. My first signet gonna be made of silver with 1900 years old ancient Roman bronze coin. I believe it's reasonable option for the beginning. It will be ready in 2 weeks 😊
This guys voices is amazing
A cousin on my father’s side found our family’s coat of arms from Scotland and I’m planning on having it carved into a ring just to have a personalized piece of jewelry
I jus inherited the family signet ring. This video was helpful. Most men in my family choose to wear it on their left pinkies however as a girl the ring is currently to big to be worn especially on my pinkie.
I wore my husband's great-grandfather's signet ring as a wedding ring on my left index finger (it was too big for my ring finger) until it broke. I'd live to get it fixed, but it broke where there's engraving on the inside of the band.
It's much harder to find a lapidary (gem stone cutter) to carve a signet gemstone ring than it is to make a solid precious metal Signet ring.
I have a signet ring with the Medusa. I wear it on my middle finger because it fits.
Fascinating, thank you so much.
You should go a jewellery collection video
Ruby men’s jewlary
Garlic
Thanks
I have the Cross of Lorraine ring
My family ring would have a spanner, or maybe a brick trowel. Must get one.
Which finger is the best for a CHURCH SIGNET RING 💍 ?
I've been waiting this video forever!
I have a question would It be weird if I used my family crest even if its not my last name its from generations ago. My family used to be royalty and nobles. Would it be better t I create a new crest and use elements from the others?
I normally just use my more dominant hand or the hand that I use the most. It's easier to show off or when I'm using it to stamp something and or getting into fights.. nobody likes a piece of metal in their face it's like using a convenient brass knuckle almost
Signet rings I think they are Great!
You’ve mentioned making pinky rings available at Fort Belvedere before unless I am mistaken, I’d love to see some available from you but can barely imagine the logistical headache that would be for you. Great video as always
so what company is the best for non knock off rings? something high end high dollar? something i can pass on for generations.
5:39 is that Sir Thomas More? Just curious:)
Yes, it is. He was Lord High Chancellor here, under Henry viii.
How you prevent the Problem of the ring beeing stuck behind you knuckle
Regarding the signet's use, the medieval lords only used the signet ring for personal corespondense only, as they had other, official stamps for the official documentation.
Still great video though.
5:25 these are gorgeous, where does one find such a ring?
Just watched an Ebay bid end, much to my dismay at not being able to purchase in time myself, for an 18K gold pinky ring with a Tiger's Eye Quartz gemstone
Great video, what type of ring goes on the index finger, I'm also love rings
Could you do a video on your ring collection? I love signer rings and I always see you have a different one on.
Tradition in my family to recieve a signet ring at 13 years old. I'm on my second as first was lost. All my girls have them. My youngest daughter opted for white gold rather than traditional gold. Mother was not pleased.
in my family we have a hereditary signet ring, but in our case its traditionally worn by the first daughter of the paternal line.
Other than the wedding band how many rings do you suggest wearing? I am not married so I wear two and some times three. I wear the third one on my left thumb.
My familly ring is too big for any of my fingers but the idea of attaching it to a pocket watch never crossed my mind. And that comes from a pocket watch collector...Maybe it is because I'm aifraid of it being stolen. Never had problems wearing pocket watches tho. But still, thank you for the idea. It may come in handy to take another approach when designing characters.
Gotta give Prince Charles the nod w/ the pinky signet. Gold signet & tiger eye, a hit w/ me.
Great rings
please!!! I would love to understand the content. also do in Portuguese or provide subtitles. Of Brazil!!
I’m graduating next year ( I live in the US) my family doesn’t have a signet ring that’s been passed down, but we do have a coat of arms. I’m think I’ll get one made and wear in on my left pinky and then when married move it to my right pinky. Very informative video, thank you. Do you happen to know where I could get one made in the traditional English style?
Tiffany has a long history of engraving such rings very nicely.
I have two questions
The first question: Are these models still used as fashionable now?
second question :
What country are you from, sir?
Thank you
Yes and Germany
Gentleman's Gazette Good to know you sir Iam from Iraq
The crest in a signet ring should be reversed so that it shows properly when used to seal wax. Even if you don't use it anymore for wax sealing, that it still the correct way.
Nice video. Excellent outfit in this one.
did anyone notice the hunger games pin on prince charles suit at 6:45?
What’s the palladium ring at 7:53?
My Family Name is Rossié. My ancestors where French Refugees (Huguenots) 300 years ago and came to Germany. We have a family crest and when my Grandfather died it was handed to my uncle. I hope I will have it one day. It would make me very proud. It is gold with a light blue stone.,
i so want one of these and im so jealous of ppl who inherit stuff down their families
What kind of ring is that at 7:53
I very much use mine as a seal still.
Who can name the king @ 1:49?
I think stamps and seals are a common thing in Japan.
Simply creating a coat of arms is a no go. It will not fly until it is registered with one of the heraldic associations. There are a few still operating that should be easy enough to find and contact. One is in Scotland, and another in France, though I'm sure the English have their nose in there as well. The reason you must get a coat of arms registered is that all legitimate crest are registered by family name and caste. There are rules to heraldry such as chevrons. Chevrons are reserved for the families of knighthood. Three chevrons are for royalty. There are a set number of fields upon the coat that can be used and there are rules about the colors, (metals and colors). Contact an association and they can help you design an actual coat of arms that may be legally registered and hence owned by your family. If you were thinking about a plain shield with just one symbol or animal upon it.... you may as well forget it. The simpler designs were taken by the more ancient families long ago. A white shield with a plain sable orb.... would be something grabbed pre 1000ce. do a little research and design with actual care and thought. It is your family name after all. Do not disrespect your ancestors with garbage. due the hard work and get it right, then pay the $100 or so to have it registered. Good luck to all.
(I know the headache of Heraldry as my family coat of arms runs a fair way back, but as an American I wanted to branch our family line away from both the Norman (Danes) and Scottish (Celts) line to show our uniqueness. It is hard work, but it is worth the effort.)
Good thing my family has a coat of arms and I’m allowed to use it. Thanks this video made my mind up my family’s coat of arms but on my index finger is were it will go
Most people who have a certain last name aren’t entitled to a given coat of arms associated with it.
I use myn to sign letters and legal documents
With the cufflinks in a same design ..u LL b the king of ur kingdom !..
Note that if you see a faceted iron or stainless steel pinky ring on the wearer's writing hand, he is an engineer. I think that's a Canadian thing mostly though. That ring is earned, so don't wear one of those if you're not a Professional Engineer.
❤🙏❤🙏thank you
Now I have 2 signet rings,1 my wife got for me and the other my Children.I take turns wearing one and the other.On my pinky finger.I absolutely love them.
What if a man wears a gold ring that has a greenish emerald stone on it on his left ring finger? Does this mean a wedding ring? Or is a wedding ring just a band like I’m used to seeing?
@@DanielaFitness if he's, married,wear your wedding ring.always. And wear your signet ring on the other hand.Your wedding Ring is more important 👌. May GOD bless you
He should wear his signet ring on the right hand .
Gentlemen no longer wear signet ring as their obsolete, maybe if you inherited it but in the best circles gentlemen dont wear rings of any kind. Usually a signet ring signifies someone who is trying to look "posh". To those who know a signet ring is a dead giveaway of pretention.
What is that one ring at 7:37 if not a secret?
Can you do one coat or arms
Well I just recently got into rings and I bought a ring of a skull in the mall and I wanted to know what type of oppression do you make while wearing a skull rings or just anything that looks cool
my father had a signet ring made, but I'm not really into that stuff, when you are born you are your own man, where you came from is kinda nice to know but it shouldn't define you, Irish were slaves, Africans were slaves... just about everyone outside of the noble class were slaves, should we make everyone that descended from those classed as "born from slavery?" nope
AEKDB Brothers
Who is playing that drum?! Enough already!!!!