What is traditionally put on signet rings? I see quite a few of them that just have the helm, mantling, a shield, and no crest. Then other times I only see the crest. Some have mottos, but most seem not to. Does it again depend on the country you’re from, or is it more up to personal preference?
The search engine is your friend. Third post in this thread:
When I click on the link, it wants me to sign in again…and for some reason it won’t accept my password.
I don’t know what to tell you about that. I guess you’ll have to walk.
Open Discussions > Notes, Queries and Current Events > Signet rings (not for the first time, I imagine)
Try it this way (with the "www" in the link):
J. Stolarz;85790 wrote:
When I click on the link, it wants me to sign in again…and for some reason it won’t accept my password.
that’s because someone is not using the proper URL with the www 
try this link: http://www.americanheraldry.org/forums/showthread.php?t=5259
kimon;85802 wrote:
that’s because someone is not using the proper URL with the www
J. Stolarz;85813 wrote:
Thank you Kimon. We’re not animals here Kenneth
Joshua I’m presently working with a semi-retired UK jeweler to have a signet ring made. As a person who prefers silver to gold the cost of the engraving is more expensive than the ring. For a laser engraving I’m paying £135 (about US$222). I’m having only my crest engraved.
The die stamped silver cushion ring is £89,50 (US$147). If I were to choose engraving by hand, the price would be over £200 for the engraving alone.
I believe getting a die stamped ring is important for deep signet engraving as these rings are less porous. A surface engraving (also known as diamond drag) is much less expensive.
I’m attaching the website. Up to the moment I can truthfully say the jeweler has been a pleasure to work with. I’ll let you know how I get on.
www.handmade-by-me.co.uk/index.html
BTW Joshua ...... your shield. Have you been fighting?
Well it’s definitely worth considering. I was looking at Dexter engraving, but their rings are incredibly expensive…which is probably partly due to the fact that they’re known for quality work.
As for my shield…yes I just got home from work, which is always quite the battle
I have been told that there are many hand engravers in Cuba but unfortunately the United States still maintians its out dated restrictions on commerce and travel to the country so this resource of inexpensive but highly skilled labour is not available to US citizens. Perhaps this will change in time.
J. Stolarz;85787 wrote:
What is traditionally put on signet rings? I see quite a few of them that just have the helm, mantling, a shield, and no crest. Then other times I only see the crest. Some have mottos, but most seem not to. Does it again depend on the country you’re from, or is it more up to personal preference?
A signet ring is a very personal piece of jewelry that can be shaped to your individual taste and preference.It is still a very widespread custom for people to have only crests engraved on signet rings when they ought not to do so ! The crest is a part of the heraldic achievement and cannot exist without the rest, so having it displayed on a signet ring is not practical , specially if you are planning to use a seal-ring as your heraldic ‘signature ’ .
Aquilo;86449 wrote:
A signet ring is a very personal piece of jewelry that can be shaped to your individual taste and preference.It is still a very widespread custom for people to have only crests engraved on signet rings when they ought not to do so ! The crest is a part of the heraldic achievement and cannot exist without the rest, so having it displayed on a signet ring is not practical , specially if you are planning to use a seal-ring as your heraldic ‘signature ’ .
This may be true in Poland, but in English-speaking countries the custom of using the crest alone on signet rings is of very long standing. Two of the oldest heraldic artifacts in the United States are crest rings dating to about 1585 and 1610 found in archeological digs at Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, and Jamestown, Virginia.
It is definitely ‘no no’ in Poland , since many crests are similar and interchangeably used in different achievements .
As for heraldic traditions in English -speaking countries… I’m not sure ...Charles Mackinnon of Dunakin writing often about heraldic and genealogical customs in England and Scotland used to describe the habit of displaying only crest as ’ cult of the crest’ based on a false interpretation of heraldry offered by the nineteenth century sellers merchandising cheap copies of the crests as a whole achievements.
David Pritchard;86435 wrote:
I have been told that there are many hand engravers in Cuba but unfortunately the United States still maintians its out dated restrictions on commerce and travel to the country so this resource of inexpensive but highly skilled labour is not available to US citizens. Perhaps this will change in time.
I honestly thought that ban was lifted years ago.
I was reading in another thread that an address in Thailand was offering engraving services. Has anyone heard or does anyone know more about this?
I guess the Prince of Wales has it all wrong
http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2005/03/charlesringR080305_450x450.jpg
