Wearing a hand-engraved signet ring

Wearing a signet ring: a gesture steeped in history and meaning

With origins reaching back more than four thousand years to ancient Egypt, the signet ring has passed through the ages without ever losing its distinction.

In France, the armorial signet ring emerged in the Middle Ages. This seal ring was used to seal correspondence and affirm the identity of a family line.

The engraving was cut in reverse so that its impression in wax revealed the coat of arms the right way round.

Once a symbol of power and belonging, by the eighteenth century the signet ring had become an elegant accessory favoured by the elite.

A legacy of meaning

Traditionally in France, the eldest son wears his signet ring on the left ring finger, while women and younger sons wear theirs on the right little finger.

Unmarried wearers traditionally turn the coat of arms outward, towards the fingertips, in the position known as “baise-main”. When engaged or married, the ring is turned inward, towards the heart, in the position known as “en bagarre”, as a symbol of commitment.

While the signet ring remains rooted in tradition, it has evolved with the times.

Whether engraved with an emblem or a more contemporary design, such as an initial or another personal motif, it is worn today with freedom and quiet elegance, telling the singular story of its wearer.

A signet ring is often given to mark life’s defining moments, as a symbol of recognition and something to be passed on. An eighteenth or twentieth birthday is a particularly fitting occasion, as are an engagement, a wedding or a significant achievement.

Whether given or chosen for oneself, the signet ring remains a timeless piece and a lasting expression of heritage.

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Frequently asked questions

Knowing your ring size is essential to ensure a perfectly fitted signet ring. If you are unsure of your size, we would be delighted to welcome you to our Paris boutique, where we can measure your finger precisely. If you already have a ring sizer, you may also provide your size when discussing your project.

We create hand-engraved signet rings in gold or silver, as well as intaglios carved into fine stones such as green agate, chrysoprase, carnelian, jasper, lapis lazuli, nicolo, sapphire and onyx.

Several processes can enhance your correspondence card:

Flat printing, for a clean and elegant finish
Embossed printing, offering a slight raised effect and refined brilliance
Traditional engraving, made from a copper plate specially created for you,
guaranteeing incomparable fineness and depth

This artisanal expertise gives each card a unique and lasting presence.

The steps involved in creating a custom correspondence card include:

Drafting and adapting a quote
Creating a graphic mock-up
Producing a prototype, validated by a step called BAT (proof to print)
Manufacturing your series of cards
A final quality control step performed by us

Once these steps are complete, your order is carefully packaged and made available at our Parisian shop.

If you prefer postal delivery, we strive to ship your order as quickly as possible.
Once your order has shipped, you will receive an email with additional information.
Delivery times vary depending on your location.

Our goal is for every customer to be completely satisfied with their purchase.
If this is not the case, please let us know and we will do our best to find a solution with you.

However, we cannot accept returns on certain personalized items such as correspondence cards.

This is why our creation process includes the production of a graphic mock-up, followed by a proof (good to print), so that you can validate the finished product before large quantities are produced by our workshops.

Lead times vary according to the individual specifications of each ring. As a guide, please allow two to three months from approval of the bespoke design to completion. An estimated timeframe will be provided at the beginning of the project.