Signet Rings: A gentleman's way to celebrate a journey through history

Signet ring originates from the Latin word “signum”, meaning "sign." Dating back as far as 3500 BC, religious leaders, and pharaohs used these rings to authenticate documents. By pressing the ring's face—typically engraved with a unique family crest in reverse—into hot wax, they marked official documents, ensuring their legitimacy while safeguarding against forgery or tampering.

Beyond its practical purpose, however, the signet ring evolved to hold deeper, symbolic meaning, representing heritage, authority, and identity.

A Roman gold and carnelian intaglio ring

Circa 1st-2nd Century A.D.

This exquisite Roman intaglio ring, dating to the 1st-2nd century AD, features a finely carved cornelian gemstone with the head of a female. Engraved with the profile head of a young woman wearing earrings, her hair dressed with an ivy wreath, possibly a priestess. The gem is set in a yellow-gold rub-over mount with an elegant shank.

Carnelian: is a striking, reddish-orange variety of chalcedony, a mineral in the quartz family. Known for its warm, rich hues ranging from pale pinkish-orange to deep, translucent red-brown, carnelian has been valued for thousands of years for its beauty and symbolism. Ancient civilizations, including the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, prized carnelian for its believed powers of protection, courage, and vitality.

Carnelian is often carved into intaglios, cameos, and beads in jewellery, as it is relatively hard and holds detailed engravings well. Its color and durability make it a popular gemstone for rings, especially in traditional and antique settings.

Signet rings like this held profound significance, symbolizing power and authority. The unique emblem engraved on each ring allowed the owner to control their personal symbol, securely worn on their finger. These symbols were often passed down to designated heirs, creating a tangible link to family heritage and ensuring the continuity of legacy across generations.

Traditionally crafted with precious and semi-precious stones such as diamond, sapphire, and bloodstone, the face of a signet ring was adorned with crests drawn from the family coat of arms. Once exclusively worn by men on the little finger, the signet ring has evolved, standing the test of time.

Today, signet rings have taken on a new and heartfelt significance as symbols of love and unity within families. Once known for their use in family heraldry, these rings are now crafted to celebrate the bond between loved ones, often engraved with meaningful symbols or initials that represent their shared journey. Exquisitely designed to be cherished, modern signet rings are now worn by both men and women, serving not only as timeless pieces of jewelry but also as enduring tokens of commitment and connection.

For me, design is a way to transform emotions and stories into tangible forms. My mission is to ensure that every creation carries its own unique meaning and cherished memories for generations to come. And yes, I must admit, I’m pretty proud of this one—it turned out exactly as I envisioned. Here’s hoping the owner cherishes it forever... and maybe even wears it to remind themselves of my great taste!

Shine on,

Hanna Ho