In 2024, signet rings for men might not represent the freakiest way to liven up your digits, but the genre feels more essential than ever. See, for all the leaps and bounds the men’s jewelry movement has taken over the last couple years—Harry Styles in pearls! Lil Nas X in dangly earrings! All the immoderately encrusted rappers populating our YouTube channel!—the very best way to begin encrusting yourself, as it were, remains the same: with a signet ring.
For eons, as far back as Mesopotamia right through to the smoky back rooms of midcentury Little Italy, signet rings were worn as a marker of great status and wealth. These days, you don’t need to be a baron or a lord or a mafia consigliere to slide on a cool-as-hell ring. They’re more available than ever, sculpted minimalist clean or over-the-top baroque or somewhere in between, all with the exact same effect: making you seem just a little bit more mysterious and confident, more tasteful, more worth crossing the room to talk to at a party.
Whether you’re adding to a growing collection of well-cut gems or just getting started in the jewelry game, here are the 17 best signet rings for men to stack on both hands.
The Best Signet Rings Hit List
Your Signet Rings FAQs, Answered
What do signet rings signify?
Signet rings were originally used to signify an allegiance to a family, fraternity, or higher socioeconomic class and, as a result, were pretty exclusive. Today, they’re free game for anyone in the market for small adornments, whether you’re well-connected or not. Which is great news for the guy who wants to feel like a king but lacks the, uh, required bloodline.
Where’s the best place to wear a signet ring?
Traditionally, signet rings are worn on the pinky finger but you can wear them anywhere. We personally like a pinky, index or ring finger, but would probably skip the thumb.
What’s the best material for signet rings?
With so many variations on the market, it can be hard to know which material is best. Our advice?Stick to precious metals like solid gold and silver, and steel. They hold up nicely with daily wear and tear and won’t tarnish as easily. If a solid, gold ring is out of the budget, gold vermeil (gold-plated jewelry that uses sterling silver as the base) is also a great alternative.
As for keeping your bling blinging, skip the harsh stuff as they can break down the metal surface, leading to tarnish. Instead mix a few drops of mild dish soap with water in a bowl, then soak your piece for a few minutes. To dry, wipe down with a soft cloth and let things air out before popping back on.
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