Signet ring question

[Mike_Oettle]

Hi, Aaron, and congratulations on becoming an armiger.
When considering a signet, remember that it is small, so to be effective it should show a small part of the achievement, not the whole.
That small part can be the crest, or (if it is not too detailed) the shield (as Robert Amyot has) – or, if you have a badge as part of your grant, that could be used instead.
It should be in reverse, and engraved, so that when impressed in wax it is “proud” and faces in the right (that is, dexter) direction.
(As an armiger you no doubt know that left and right on a shield are given as from behind the shield, so that dexter is the apparent left, and sinister the apparent right.)
I look forward to seeing an illustration of the arms and, in due course, the signet as well.
Again, congratulations.
Regards,
Mike

[SlackerDrummer]

From a thread on the American Heraldry Society forum, this post from Hassan Kamel-Kelisli-Morali gives the following information on what is customary to put on signet rings, the materials from which they are made, and on which finger(s) they are usually worn:

In the British Isles:
- Tend to favor the use of the crest, crest and motto, or badge.
- Tend to favor the use of solid gold signet rings (as opposed to a stone set ring).
- Tend to wear the ring on the small finger of the left hand.

In France:
- Tend to favor the use of the shield, with coronets of ranks when appropriate.
- Tend to favor the use of solid gold signet rings, for the most part. There are some cases of semi-precious and precious stones, engraved with the arms.
- Tend to wear the ring on the ring finger (sometimes the small finger) of the left hand.

In Germanic Countries:
- Tend to favor the use of the entire armorial achievement. However, there are cases where shield and coronet of rank, if appropriate have been used.
- Tend to favor the use of a gold ring set with an engraved semi-precious or precious stone.
- Tend to wear the ring on the ring finger of the left hand.

In Greece & Other South East European Countries:
- Tend to favor the use of solid gold rings (gold set with stone are somewhat common).
- Tend to wear the ring on the small finger of the right hand.

In the Iberian Peninsula:
- Tend to favor the use of both, solid gold and gold set with a stone.
- Tend to wear the ring on the small finger of the left hand.

Given you have a grant from Lyon (I assume, as you state from Edinburgh), I would go with the crest or crest and motto.

[MacLowlife]

I am always surprised at the detail which can be read and understood in a small space. Think of the image on the American dime, for example, or any other small coin. I have a ring (worn on the small finger of my left hand) that has a stone ( bloodstone, I believe) which is roughly 3/8 X 1/2 and it shows a shield, with three garbs and a chevron, clearly visible, though not with my bifocals off. This ring is probably late 19th century, definitely American.

I have seen the shop and some samples of the work of Mikhail Smolkin, in Charleston, SC. I do not know about his prices, but here is a link to his site...

http://www.fineartjewelry.com/

Most of what I see there is cameos, but I believe he has carved seal rings as well...

[Gael Ridire]

Congrats on becoming an armiger! I've debated this myself and come to no conclusion yet for me. In armoury, what is important is the shield, but my own is a bit complicated hence the crest which is not. Probably go with the crest. Good luck on the decision!