Why the Signet Ring Is the Perfect Unisex Accent Piece

By Jane Asher, July 23, 2025

From ancient seals to modern heirlooms, the signet ring is having a stylish revival. Here’s how to make this iconic piece your own.

Courtesy of Zoe Chicco

It’s no secret the signet ring is having a major fashion moment. With its timeless, unisex appeal, this iconic style blends heritage and personal expression like no other—whether worn on the pinky, thumb, or stacked alongside other favorites. Steeped in history dating back to ancient times, these rings have evolved from symbols of status to modern-day style statements.

Read on to discover the history, styling tips, and standout designs that make this piece a must-have in any jewelry collection.

Meet the Expert

Jane Asher is a social media manager with a passion for pop culture.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from Washington University in St. Louis.
As a journalist, her work has been featured in publications such as InStyle Magazine, Stylecaster, Martha Stewart Weddings and more

What Is a Signet Ring?

A typical signet ring is made of precious metal, like gold or platinum, with a slightly domed or flat surface engraved with a design, traditionally a family crest or monogram. That surface is the actual signet, which in ancient and classical times was used as a seal instead of a signature. It was often pressed into wax or ink to give authentication to an official document.

Today, any symbol or lettering is used in signet rings, from zodiac signs to paw prints of furry loved ones. You can also find them accented with natural diamonds or other precious gems, giving them true heirloom quality.

What Does a Signet Ring Symbolize?

A gold signet ring from ancient Greek civilization with worship scene, female figures, landscape, sun and moon. From Mycenae, Acropolis treasure. (Photo By DEA / G. DAGLI ORTI/De Agostini via Getty Images)

Nitot (today known as Chaumet) signet ring with the Napoleon monogram circa 1809, with 5 carats of diamonds and 37 brilliants from Holland (Photo by: Pierre-Jean Chalencon/Photo12/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Signet rings can be traced as far back as 3500 BC in ancient Mesopotamia, where they used cylindrical seals as marks of authenticity. The ancient Egyptians turned this practice into jewelry, making the first signet rings as we know them today, engraved with hieroglyphics. Pharaohs and other prominent people would wear them to show their rank.

By the Middle Ages, anyone of importance or influence wore a ring with a signet, including nobility who would use them to sign and seal important documents. (The word signet comes from the Latin signum, meaning “sign.”) Signet rings became even more crucial in the fourteenth century when King Edward II decreed that all legal documents must be signed with the King’s signet ring. Signet-style rings from this time period were destroyed after the owner’s death to avoid forgery.

By the Victorian period, signet rings became a mark of wealth as well as importance, as the silver or gold pieces were adorned with semi-precious and precious gemstones like natural diamonds. They were always made of either silver or gold.

Why Signet Rings Are Trending Again

A young Prince Charles (now King Charles III) peers through binoculars aboard a Royal Navy vessel during his service in the 1970s. — A young Prince Charles (now King Charles III) aboard a Royal Navy vessel during his service in the 1970s. (Getty Images)

With vintage-style jewelry making a comeback, it’s no surprise that this style of ring is seeing a resurgence in popularity as well. Growing interest in heirloom and heritage jewelry that can be passed down from one generation to the next has also influenced the rise of personalized signet rings for both men and women.

King Charles II has been known to wear a gold signet ring on his left pinky finger since the 1970s. The piece once belonged to his Uncle Edward, the Duke of Windsor, and is engraved with the symbol of the Prince of Wales (a title Charles held for 64 years). Now, the King has passed down the heirloom to his son, Prince William, since receiving the title last September.

Taylor Swift has a signet-style ring featuring an illustration of her beloved cat from CeCe Jewellery, Zendaya has been spotted wearing one with her fiancé Tom Holland’s initials, and Harry Styles has been a known lover of signet and chunky rings for years.

Modern Signet Rings: The Styles to Know

diamond signet ring with initial — Courtesy of EF Collection

Today, you can find signet rings in a variety of styles, shapes and iterations. From diamond pavé halos to rings with a gypsy or bezel set natural diamonds, there’s a ring for everyone. Diamond-forward designs like Lionheart’s Serenity Ring are perfect for a jewelry maximalist, while David Yurman’s Streamline collection offers plenty of sparkle in a more subdued design.

If you’re looking for a signet ring with a traditional monogram, consider versions with delicate pavé diamond details that elevate the look and make it the ideal heirloom piece. There are many Zodiac design options, too, for a different kind of personalization.