Signet ring question

[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...

[dukeearl]

As for me i prefer the complete coat of arms. Mine being blair my crest is the cross of saint andrew which is almost the same as the scottish flag. The crest depicts the stag proper. I agree gold is better but my sons wear silver until they reach 18 . I hve one left that is 3 the other 6 are grown

[awbyrd]

Hey guys,

My apologies for not putting up a pic of Yvonne Holton's rendering of the Arms. In the interim, the crest is blazoned as "Projecting from an astral coronet a pelican vulning itself."

I'll get the pics up as soon as I have the opportunity!

Best,

Aaron

[Biathlonman]

Considering the obscene price of gold - why not gather up some old gold (your wife will be happy to make a contribution to your new bling) and take it to the jeweller doing this work to offset some of the costs, which will be considerable? This will be a big bullet to bite.

Also - historical note - from the Magna Charta - to the Act of Union between Scotland and England - signet rings have been used alongside signatures. Long tradition here.

[Mike_Oettle]

Hi, Aaron – any special significance in the astral crown?
The pelican is a symbol of Christian piety. It is often shown simply “vulning itself” (pecking at the breast, which is covered in drops of blood). It can also appear “in its piety” – in this form it is also vulning itself, but it is sitting in a nest with baby pelicans.
The Western Province Blood Transfusion Service, based in Cape Town, has a coat of arms gules, a pelican vulning itself argent, within a bordure argent semy of hearts proper (red, that is).
Regards,
Mike

[awbyrd]

The primary reason is that all of my adult life has been in service to others in an "aerial" environment, hence the astral coronet. I started in the Air Force, and now serve as a flight paramedic.

[Mike_Oettle]

My apologies. I ought to have recognised the term astral crown as belonging to the RAF, but I was getting confused with other types.
Regards,
Mike

[Cygnus]

While tradition dictates that the crest be used, I'm a fan of rings that bear the actual escucheon. Correct me if I'm wrong, but as I understand it the crest is "personal" and can be changed (even by the direct heir) in later matriculations, while the shield always remains the same. Since signet rings are both symbols of the family and generally expensive, they are often passed down from generation to generation; it just doesn't make sense to me to engrave a ring with something that may be changed down the line, however rare such a change may be or however traditional the engraving of a crest may be.

That, and I like the look of the shield on the ring!

[macwilkin]

Hi, Aaron – any special significance in the astral crown?
The pelican is a symbol of Christian piety. It is often shown simply “vulning itself” (pecking at the breast, which is covered in drops of blood). It can also appear “in its piety” – in this form it is also vulning itself, but it is sitting in a nest with baby pelicans.
The Western Province Blood Transfusion Service, based in Cape Town, has a coat of arms gules, a pelican vulning itself argent, within a bordure argent semy of hearts proper (red, that is).
Regards,
Mike

It is also the Louisiana state seal.

T.