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Original poster

Gold signet rings the upper middle class wear on their little finger

139 replies

HanneHolm · 16/12/2013 11:06

why? where from what for?
and has no one pointed out they are one step away from a MOM signet ring from Lizzy duke?

OP posts:
squoosh · 16/12/2013 15:27

I've just checked my family crests, the mottos are a bit aggro. I might need to invent a fluffier, friendlier one.

FiscalCliffRocksThisTown · 16/12/2013 15:36

DH wears one, it is a tradition in their family ( the Earl of X)

He does not care what people think and has had his faur share if bosh- bashing.

Who cares anyway.

dexter73 · 16/12/2013 15:43

I don't think anyone cares. It is just something inane to natter about on a rainy afternoon.

FiscalCliffRocksThisTown · 16/12/2013 15:51

That's why I'm here....

Original poster
HanneHolm · 16/12/2013 16:07

i love it when someone cares enough to come on a thread to ask why we care

cos they don't care
Hmm

OP posts:
Quenna · 16/12/2013 16:12

I've just bought one for my DD who is 13. I am not going for the crest thing as that would be mad ...we are very ordinary...but I am going to get her initial engraved on it.

I had the ring made from my mum's wedding ring which was left to me.

I thought it would be nice.....

noddyholder · 16/12/2013 17:53

My ds has a VW one silver he loves it as do his mates Just very simple with the little orb.

MrsHowardRoark · 16/12/2013 17:59

My DP has one, as does everyone on his father's side. All the children are given one on their 21st birthday.

They don't look naff at all and are quite subtle. In their case it is a link to their past family, many of whom were killed during the holocaust.

Dilidali · 16/12/2013 18:04

Oooh gawd, never thought of it! Just googled and we do have a crest. It is actually really really ironic. The only person in the family who wears a signet is really really snobbish and the motto on the family crest goes against every grain of this person's belief.

That's soooo funny!!! Oh, I can feel a controversial little 'gem' spilled at the dinner table coming on! Cold dish and all that. I shall be wearing my pearls for this.

Original poster
HanneHolm · 16/12/2013 18:05

i cant imagine wanting to wear one piece of jewellery when 21 and when 81 tbh
regardless of meaning

OP posts:
ItsAWonderfulCervix · 16/12/2013 18:05

WeI don't have a crest but we do have our own tartan Grin

Oddsocksrus · 16/12/2013 18:06

My family all have them as 21st birthday presents. The men wear it on their left hand as most haven't chosen to wear a wedding band, the girls on their right hand.
They have our initials on them.
It's just an old tradition, we don't have a crest and have a fine history of sheep rustling hence our distant relatives in Australia and Tasmania...

Original poster
HanneHolm · 16/12/2013 18:20

the tradition bit is even MORE cringey

OP posts:
BillStickersIsInnocent · 16/12/2013 20:19

I only know 4 people who wear one. All very posh, land owner types. With spaniels.

I expect they got theirs in town. Wink

Laska42 · 16/12/2013 20:23

Masons.. Avoid..

WidowWadman · 16/12/2013 20:28

Hanneholm

"i cant imagine wanting to wear one piece of jewellery when 21 and when 81 tbh
regardless of meaning"

I got my engagement ring at 25 - should I live to 81 I hope I will still be wearing it. Some jewellery is timeless. Especially when it has meaning.

ARealPickle · 16/12/2013 20:29

I had no idea it was sometimes done by the upper class. I've always thought of "MUM" rings and incredibly naff when I've seen them...

magicbiscuits · 16/12/2013 20:29

I've never seen a woman wear one.

And I've only ever known one man to wear one, and he was a prat who paid to have a crest designed just so he could wear one and be posh like his best friend Hmm

SirRaymondClench · 16/12/2013 20:33

You've got a real chip on your shoulders Op.
What a fucking horrible attitude you've got.

SirRaymondClench · 16/12/2013 20:34

Sorry forgot this Biscuit

BeginnerSAHM · 16/12/2013 20:35

It's just something that some people do. My family has one - it was worn by my grandad (and his) but my dad didn't choose to wear it. My brother does now though. Surely it's just personal taste. I think it's quite nice if it's inherited and has family memories. And if it's not/hasn't it's just an individual choice.

I think being judgmental about it is inverse snobbery - just as bad as 'middle' class people being sniffy about 'working' class accents or anything else.

MissRabbitsCV · 16/12/2013 20:43

HanneHolm the red trousers! You have just had DH and I crying with laughter. Love the name too btw.

TheCurseOfTinsel · 16/12/2013 20:45

I don't get it.

What is cringey about tradition? Do you wear a wedding ring, OP? That's just tradition too. or do you also sneer at anyone who chooses to wear one?

Dh's family have one. With the family crest on. It's an important (to them, not so much to anyone else Wink) bit of family history.

BUt then, they have the right to that family crest.

Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as a coat of arms for a fmaily name, in general. they are granted to specific families (or individuals) for particular reasons. so often, when someone is (legitimately) wearing a signet ring with a crest/coat of arms on, it is for a specific reason (or was, in history). Which would be why they want to carry on wearing it, maybe Hmm

there are quite complicated rules governing who/what/where/why crests can be worn - it's not as simple as just fancying wearing one, technically. (and generally, people entitled to wear them tend to be interested in genealogy and heraldry, and can spot a fake a mile off)

JassyRadlett · 16/12/2013 20:50

The ugly class issues on this thread are making my head hurt. People have different traditions and backgrounds. Get the fuck over it.

Said as an immigrant who'd never wear a signet ring, but who thinks sneering at people they perceive as from a different class is bloody disgusting.

LRDtheFeministDragon · 16/12/2013 20:51

Coats of arms aren't granted to families. They're granted to individuals. You're not allowed to use someone else's coat of arms, even if that person is your family.

Not that it matters, but I think it is a bit daft to pretend it's about genealogy and heraldry. If it's a sentimental bit of jewellery you want to wear, fine, wear it. That's lovely. Go with that as a reason.

Of course, you could also claim you wanted to revive the sumptuary laws and renounce wearing gold or silver or ermine, if historical reenactment takes your fancy.