Jewelry Trends

What Is a Signet Ring? Plus, the Best Styles for Men and Women

Learn about the origin of signet rings and discover modern renditions of this classic piece of jewelry here.

By 

Meyme Nakash

 |  February 17, 2025

A signet ring has a flat surface engraved with initials, a family crest, or a motif and is traditionally worn on the pinky finger. While pinky rings have always been considered a classic type of jewelry, they’ve recently regained popularity because of how they add an unexpected edge to elegant attire. Here, we first explain the origin and deeper meaning of signet rings and then round up the most timeless yet contemporary signet rings for men and women. 

In This Article

• Signet Ring Meaning
• The Best Men’s Signet Rings
• The Best Women’s Signet Rings

What Is a Signet Ring?

Signet Ring Meaning

The word signet derives from the Latin word signum, which means “sign,” a reference to the first signet rings worn by pharaohs in ancient Egypt. Back then, religious leaders used these rings to authenticate documents by placing them into melted wax and pressing them onto documents, leaving behind their official marks. This is how the tradition of wearing signet rings on the pinky finger came about, as it ensured the least amount of contact with other objects, protecting the ring’s engraving. Over the years, they came to symbolize wealth and power because of their association with the elite. Today, they don’t necessarily carry this subtext, although this is still the case in some circles, notably the British aristocracy. 

Status symbols or not, the signet rings below showcase how designers have reimagined this jewelry trend by adding their unique personal touches. Some rings in our selection can be viewed as unisex styles and feature stunning gemstones and intricate designs.

The Best Men’s Signet Rings

Below, you’ll find our selection of signet rings from the best men’s jewelry brands, which also make excellent luxury gifts for him. 

Shay Jewelry

Shay Jewelry creates Victorian- and Art Deco–inspired designs by hand in Los Angeles. This ring is a fantastic choice for the man who wants a bold piece with an interesting, geometric design. The front has a horizontally oriented, elongated octagon shape with an octagon-cut diamond at its center and baguette-cut diamonds set into half the band. 

Shay signet ring in 18K yellow gold with 1.08 carats diamond, $10,600

Mateo 

Mateo is known for creating understated pieces you can wear on any occasion. This piece was handcrafted with gold and malachite, a dark green mineral, in New York City and celebrates the brand’s ethos of sophisticated simplicity.

Mateo signet ring in 14K yellow gold with malachite, $1,150

Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton’s jewelry collection for men, Les Gastons Vuitton, which launched in 2024, pays homage to the French luxury house’s roots in designing luxury trunks. This ring, part of the line, has the maison’s iconic monogram pattern engraved on its top. It has an effortless aesthetic, which makes it a wonderful accessory for daywear. 

Louis Vuitton Les Gastons Vuitton signet ring in 18K white gold, $7,100

David Yurman

David Yurman is known for its collection of timeless signet rings. This piece takes a daring approach to the ring style with an oversize square silhouette. It comes in 18K rose gold with cognac diamonds or sterling silver with black diamonds. 

David Yurman Streamline signet ring in 18K rose gold with 1.76 carats cognac diamond, $9,900

John Hardy 

Balinese fine-jewelry brand John Hardy creates contemporary bohemian-inspired pieces using ethically sourced gemstones and recycled materials. This eco-friendly style makes a statement with an octagon-shaped head and a bezel-set tigereyetiger’s eye surrounded by pavé diamonds. 

John Hardy signet ring in sterling silver with tiger’s eye and 1.29 carats diamond, $5,600

Jacquie Aiche

If you prefer a more laid-back look, this signet ring is perfect. It’s made by Jacquie Aiche, a fine-jewelry brand that creates whimsical pieces from its home base in Los Angeles. It showcases an onyx-set head and clean lines for a simple but elevated appearance. 

Jacquie Aiche signet ring in 14K yellow gold with onyx, $3,940

Greenwich St. Jewelers

Greenwich St. Jewelers is a family-owned-and-operated boutique in New York City offering high-end designer and custom jewelry. This ring highlights a striking emerald-cut emerald set into a clean, smooth-polished band, a timeless style that both men and women can don. 

Greenwich St. Jewelers signet ring in 18K yellow gold with a 1.1-carat emerald, $5,500

Georg Jenson

Georg Jenson is a Danish brand offering fresh takes on classic jewelry, and this signet ring is a fabulous example. It has an asymmetrical design that incorporates the designer’s signature chain motif on one side. This piece has a slimmer silhouette than traditional signet rings, making it a sleek and subtle option. 

Georg Jenson Reflect signet ring in 18K yellow gold, $2,990 

The Best Women’s Signet Rings

These rings refreshingly balance femininity and edge, making them ideal staple jewelry pieces. Many of these styles can still be considered unisex because of their interesting architectural qualities. 

Zahn-Z

In 2021, Hiba Husayni left behind her career in architecture to pursue jewelry design, founding her brand Zahn-Z in New York City. Inspired by her grandfather’s French Damascene house, with beautiful arches and geometric elements, she designed the Sadaf Mosaic collection. This ring, part of the line, has a rectangular silhouette that showcases a mesmerizing pattern using diamond, pearl, and enamel (check out our selection of enamel jewelry for more). 

Zahn-Z Sadaf Mosaic signet ring in 14K yellow gold with diamond, pearl, and enamel, $5,295

Suzanne Kalan 

This signet ring from Suzanne Kalan is a great way to breathe life into an outfit with a pop of color. It’s handcrafted in the brand’s Los Angeles studio and has a diamond-like shape accentuated by a diagonally oriented princess-cut emerald. Baguette- and brilliant-cut diamonds surround the emerald gemstone, making this a visually interesting piece of emerald jewelry. 

Suzanne Kalan signet ring in 18K yellow gold with diamond and emerald, $3,400

State Property

This isn’t your typical signet ring; it has an octagon silhouette with an empty center where there’s commonly a crest. It’s made by State Property, a fine-jewelry brand based in Singapore that prides itself on marrying modern design and traditional craftsmanship, yielding stunning masterpieces like this ring, which exposes the wearer’s skin (surrounded by two rows of diamonds, of course!). 

State Property Spade signet ring in 18K yellow gold with diamond, $2,800

Marlo Laz

Marlo Laz designs modern, bohemian-inspired fine jewelry in its New York City studio. This ring reads Porte Bonheur, which means “good luck” in French, and has a blue sapphire accent stone at its center —  making this double as a piece of September birthstone jewelry. 

Marlo Laz Porte Bonheur signet ring in 14K yellow gold with sapphire, $1,800

Jemma Wynne

This style from Jemma Wynne is dynamic with a spinning crest; the front has a bezel-set, heart-shaped ruby, and the back reads je t’aime, or “I love you” in French — making it a romantic Valentine’s Day gift. It’s handmade in Jemma Wynne’s New York studio, which showcases the brand’s love and dedication to every piece.

Jemma Wynne Love Notes signet ring in 18K yellow gold with ruby, $6,195

Jade Trau 

If you’re looking for something a little more classic, this Jade Trau ring is for you. It has an oval silhouette that frames a cluster of beautiful diamonds in various sizes. The band has a satin gold finish, which gives the piece a modern feel in alignment with the New York City–based jewelry brand’s aesthetic. 

Jade Trau signet ring in 18K yellow gold with diamond, $4,500

Grace Lee

Make a bold statement with this Grace Lee ring. The front has an octagon shape with pavé diamonds over a dark background, imitating the appearance of a galaxy. It’s handmade in the brand’s Los Angeles studio and available in 18K yellow, white, or rose gold. 

Grace Lee Asscher Galaxy signet ring in 18K yellow gold with diamond, $9,880

Foundrae 

Foundrae is a fine-jewelry brand established by husband-and-wife duo Murat and Beth Bugdaycay in New York City. This ring reflects the brand’s interest in telling stories through unique pieces of jewelry, reflecting the idea of day and night through a yin-yang motif. The “yin” showcases a sun engraving, and the “yang” has a moon crest in pavé diamonds with stars in the background. 

Foundrae Balance signet ring in 18K yellow gold with diamond, $4,250

Briony Raymond 

Signet rings are an excellent form of zodiac jewelry, serving as canvases for the different representations of each star sign. New York fine-jewelry atelier Briony Raymond offers this beautiful example, with an intricate, vintage-inspired design highlighting the symbol for each zodiac sign.

Briony Raymond Zodiac signet ring in 18K yellow gold with diamond, $9,500

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