The dictionary defines signets rings as those rings that bear signs. They are also popularly called seal rings. Seal rings are generally used similarly with stamps that indicate the title and position of a letter’s sender. Likened to an authenticating signature, they are normally used on letters. Now the term is used to refer to any device that makes such impressions.

Signet rings have a come a long way and tell an interesting story. As a tradition coming from the ancient times of Europe and nearby countries, signet rings have been associated with nobility. Most signet rings generally indicate the coat of arms symbol, which is either nestled on semiprecious stones or engraved on metals. They are engraved in intaglio, leaving a design raised where it was originally stamped. The most popular material used for this is agate, most commonly the carnelian or sardonyx variety. Less expensive and obviously of lesser quality are signet rings made from metal and are usually cast.

Signet rings are considered part of the regalia of most monarchies as they are known signs of authority and rank. This means that it is customary for a nobleman to be seen wearing a signet ring and that only somebody from the royal family is privileged to wear one. When one visits a museum, one will notice that signet rings are usually displayed together with the crowns, scepters, and other royal belongings of a monarch.

Another kind of signet ring is also worn by the pope of the Roman Catholic Church. The pope’s signet ring shares his reign as leader of the church. This is because the same ring is destroyed when the pope dies. This is to symbolize the passing away of the pope and to denote the selection of the new pope to sit on the throne of the deceased pope. The destroying of the signet ring commemorate the "sede vacante" period. The term "sede vacante" is Latin for “the seat being vacant," a significant event of the Roman Catholic religion.

One will see the signet ring being worn by noblemen on their fifth fingers on either hand. This may vary though depending on the custom of the country the monarch belongs to where their tradition dictates on which finger the ring has to be placed. Swiss noblemen, however, put their signet rings on their right hand ring finger, while German and French nobles wear theirs on the left hand. The same is true for nobleman in UK. Other cultures wear their signet rings differently to indicate marital status; hence, noblemen wearing their rings and the seals facing toward their palm are married, while those wearing them face up aren’t.

General Public Signet Rings

Despite the fact that signet rings are generally attributed to noblemen, they are nevertheless not limited to their use only. Today, almost anybody can have one. This is because signet rings are also worn to indicate membership to a specific organization or as a souvenir.