The signet ring is one of the oldest pieces of jewellery there is. Once engraved to seal letters, today it is worn for its style or for what it passes on: initials, a monogram, a family coat of arms. But which finger should you wear it on? Here is what tradition says, and what is done today.
Tradition: the little finger
Traditionally, the signet ring is worn on the little finger, most often of the left hand. Worn on the hand used less for writing, it was less of a hindrance in daily life and remained easy to use for sealing a document. This is still the most classic way to wear it today, for men and women alike.
Left hand or right hand?
There is no strict rule. Many choose the left hand out of tradition, others the right hand to set it apart from the wedding band, or simply for comfort. The most important thing is to wear it on a hand where it does not get in your way.
What about the other fingers?
Today, the signet ring is also worn on the ring finger, the middle finger or even the index finger, especially for slimmer designs or signet rings for women. A smaller face and a finer band suit these fingers well.
Which way should the face be worn?
When the signet ring bears a coat of arms or a monogram, some families have their own customs: the motif facing the wearer or readable by others. Traditions vary from family to family and country to country. If your family has a custom, it can guide the orientation of the engraving.
Choosing the right size
The little finger is slimmer than the other fingers and its size changes with the seasons. For a well-fitting signet ring, the safest option is to have your finger measured in our boutique. If needed, a signet ring can be adjusted afterwards: see our ring resizing service.
Create your signet ring
We design and make bespoke signet rings in our workshop in Lausanne, engraved with your initials or your coat of arms. Discover our bespoke signet ring, our signet ring designs and our guide to having a coat of arms engraved.
