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Original poster

Signet rings?

14 replies

keysofhope · 06/12/2018 20:27

We'd like to get our son a signet ring for his 21st Birthday.
I have a few questions though.

Are they a bit 'naff'?
Who is really entitled to wear them?

My husband wears one which just has his initial "T" on it. Apparently his father wore his father's ring, but lost it, and does not recall what was on it.

Our surname does not have a coat of arms specifically to us. Although genealogical research by my cousin shows that we think my maiden name has a coat of arms dating to c1700.

Ought we get just his initial? The crest of the family with a rather tenuous certainty to my own? Or a generic one for our surname online?

OP posts:
babysharkah · 06/12/2018 20:30

Please don't! The only ones that are even mildly acceptable are old ones that have been passed down (and a whole lot of people are going to disagree with me on even that).

Original poster
keysofhope · 06/12/2018 20:43

We have one from my grandfather, who was a member of a secret not so secret organisation. But my son is obviously not a member of it yet, and so I don't feel he should wear that.

OP posts:
SantyClaws · 06/12/2018 20:45

Really old fashioned IMHO. My dad wore one. Prince Charles wears one. Nuff said.

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Clothing
MountainPeakGeek · 06/12/2018 20:48

I agree - don't do it to him. They're never coming back into fashion (I hope!!) Have you considered cufflinks if you want to get him jewellery?

HashTagLil · 06/12/2018 20:50

It's a bit 'chavvy' imo, up there with those gold medallion type rings.

Original poster
keysofhope · 06/12/2018 20:52

Eeek I hadn't realised they were hated upon! Cufflinks are being sorted by his grandparents with his Oxford college crest on.

OP posts:
3WildOnes · 06/12/2018 21:17

My best friend wears one, she is from an aristocratic family and it has her families coat of arms on it.

FoodGloriousFud · 06/12/2018 22:06

Oh no don't do it to him! How about a watch? Tie pin? Monogrammed wallet? High end laptop bag?

Tedwart · 19/01/2020 22:40

We are in a similar predicament. If you're still around, what did you do?

Davros · 19/01/2020 22:57

They HAVE come back into fashion folks! At least Christmas before last they were in lots of posh jewellers. Check out Dinny Hall for example www.dinnyhall.com/rings/signet-and-pinky-rings
I'm not sure about male ones though

TooManyPaws · 20/01/2020 00:18

My parents bought my cousin a silver hipflask with his initials on. I have my father's signet ring which he wore on his pinkie as well as my great-grandfather's signet ring. Dad's is just a black stone but ggf's is his initials.

lborgia · 20/01/2020 02:27

It depends what you're trying to achieve? Does your son enjoy wearing jewellery?

I wear my father's, so it's sentimental and our crest dating back to 1600s, but I'm not sure why you'd get a pretend one.

If he's admired them, get one, if you think it will make him look posher, then don't. The whole thing is rapidly becoming obsolete, so nothing to aspire to!

Kingoftheroad · 20/01/2020 06:24

Absolutely - do it,

I’d use your own historical one with pride, or go back a bit with your husband’s family History until you find a crest.

MrsFloraPoste · 20/01/2020 06:33

New ones are a bit naff, as a pp said, aspirational. Usually worn by the nouveau riche trying to appear “posh.”

I second cufflinks. In solid silver because of the birthday - that’s a nice tradition.

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