You don’t have to be a Man from U.N.C.L.E or a member of the mafia in order to don a signet ring. Your father’s father probably sported a monogrammed piece of metal jewelry on his dominate hand. “Signet rings have been around since people wore jewelry,” says Beatrice Behlen, senior curator of fashion and decorative arts at the Museum of London. “They seem to always have been popular, but I believe they became more popular with the rise of the bourgeoisie. Members of the middle class would not have a coat of arms, so having a signet ring would be a prominent sign to show that you are of a higher class.”
Often considered the “gentleman’s ring,” the signet ring was used as a personal signature or symbol of a person’s family heritage. Today, these rings represent a sense of sartorial flare. You can rock a single initialed monogrammed ring (above) from the Made in New York men’s accessory brand, Noble Breed, or you can make a strong statement with this “Fu*k Off” statement ring from Mark McNairy Amsterdam (below).
Photo by J. Alex Sanchez / @Zander_X
The “M” signet ring was a custom piece. For pricing information please contact redd@NobleBreed.com