Yellow gold styles of gold signet ring allow for an unbelievable level of detail and customization thanks to the inherent softness and malleability of this metal. Many 14k gold signet ring styles are individually designed with a variety of wearers with different tastes, interests, and lifestyles in mind, which makes perfect sense when one considers that conveying an individual’s identity was in fact the original purpose of these rings.
Roman custom was to remove a ring from the finger of those who had died, but there was also a bit of superstition surrounding signet rings, too. For example, if the ring was removed, then there was a chance of bad luck and tidings. The custom was to only wear one ring, but as the popularity of signet rings grew, so did the number of rings that were worn.
In the Middle Ages, a man’s ring was often engraved with the wearer’s family coat of arms, and modern signet rings are designed to showcase the simplified modern day equivalent that serves the same purpose: the monogram. Mens white gold signet rings in more recent times have become a traditional gift for sons and other male relatives as eighteenth birthday gifts, or to present upon high school or college graduation.
White gold signet rings for men were inspired by practices dating back thousands of years, but the many styles of mens white gold signet rings sold available today are decidedly modern. White gold is quickly replacing yellow gold as the preferred metal for mens wedding bands, as the cooler tones of white gold is often better suited to masculine designs and several metals in pale, silvery colors are used in many other accessories for men like cuff links and watches. A signet ring also sets these off nicely.
Signet rings were used to validate serious legal documents in Roman times. Cicero and Pliny both state that signet rings were eventually worn on the little finger. It served as a man’s signature. Julius Caesar wore one with Venus on it. Augustus has several signet rings featuring a sphinx, the image of Alexander the Great, and finally one with his own image.
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