Signet Ring Questions ?

Q: I wish to have a signet ring made of my familiewapen. They arms do belong to me now as all the research has been done and they are in process of being registered. Anyway I want to do this "historically correct". What was included on the rings as far as shield, supports, crown etc... Also was there a certain hand / finger used?

A: It's customary for an American to wear a signet ring on the right hand, on the "ring finger" (third over from thumb, the finger between middle and "pinkie"); I think it more appropriate for a European to wear it on the same finger of the left hand due to different customs vis-a-vis wedding rings/bands, but someone actually European may very well correct me on this. Regarding what to have put on the ring, I think you could go several options:

A: with a simple crest, i.e, all above (and including) the torse (or crest-wreath) or crest coronet. B. with a simple escutcheon or shield of the arms, surmounted by any ensign of rank (i.e., coronet denoting noble rank) if appropriate. C. shield or escutcheon, helm, crest, and mantling. This seems to be the standard for the mass-produced rings from the Family Coats Of Arms industry. But it doesn't mean it's necessarily wrong. The mantling does a nice job, as it was probably originally intended to do, of filling-in any "dead space" to the sides of the shield along the flat top of the signet ring. Your supporters, if any, could do equally well. You do want to keep in mind that the more of the heraldic elements you include, the more the artist will have to squeeze into a fairly limited space available, thus the smaller such things as the actual shield and its charges will become. Personally, I have a heraldic signet ring showing the crest (including crest coronet). But I'm in the process of ordering one which will show the shield with coronet. At least in Sweden signet rings are normally worn on the right hand. Especially if you actually want to seal with them, it makes sense to have them on your best hand. (And even if you don't, you might still want people to think that you do. A signet ring used for sealing is a practical and handy little tool. A signet ring not used for sealing is often taken as a rather pretentious piece of jewelry signalling "look who I am".) And although some do wear their signet rings on the ring finger, I have the feeling that the "pinkie" finger actually is more common. Again, this is more practical if you actually use it for sealing. Then you just turn the right outwards and lower your fist, instead of the more awkward movement of lowering your knuckles against the surface, elbow up.

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