The pinky ring has returned, partly inspired by history, partly by television and partly because everything that is old becomes new again thanks to bespoke jewellery experts.
Wearing a ring on your little finger is hardly new; there was a proud tradition of wearing intaglio signet rings on the little finger of one’s non-dominant hand, but pinky rings have gone from the hallmark of the rich and powerful to a stylistic choice everyone is trying.
Thanks to skilled designers, audacious styling and the trendsetting power of social media, the pinky ring is being taken in new directions, but what should you do if you want to join in and flash your signet ring?
Why Have Pinky Rings Made A Comeback?
Part of the reason for the rise in pinky rings is the modern comeback of the signet ring, which itself can be somewhat credited to the rise of a lot of popular period dramas about the rich and famous.
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, The Crown and especially Bridgerton have catapulted signet rings into popular culture, associated not only with power and prestige but also refinement, class (in both senses of the word) and elegance.
Whilst we live in a very different world to the Regency era and almost none of us need a signet ring to prove our family ties, the idea of wearing a ring on the little finger has stuck, and we are in an exciting period where the rules are constantly changing when it comes to design and style.
How Can You Style A Pinky Ring?
Aside from a traditional family seal or heirloom design, you can style a pinky ring however you like and in whatever way is comfortable to wear.
Here are a few ideas, but the general rule of thumb is that a pinky ring must feel comfortable to wear without restricting your movement too much, and that bold ring designs often require bold costume choices to pull them off.
Traditional Signet Ring
The original and best form of pinky ring, traditional seal rings have surged in popularity in recent years, with the functionality and inherent design restrictions that come as a result creating some of the most interesting and eye-catching pinky rings around.
Many of these are heirlooms, but if you plan to design one yourself, be bold with your design and how you want it to reflect your personal story. Our computer-aided design process and precise hand-carved approach will bring your vision to life.
Atypical Signet Ring
Whilst the oval and the cushion are common favourite signet ring shapes, you do not need to stick with the norm in order to create a beautiful design.
There is a huge array of variations on the traditional signet ring form, all of which are right at home on the same little finger:
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Surface cut the seal design so it is not reversed and the beautiful design is immediately revealed
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Make the seal design the shape of the ring itself, taking advantage of elegant bands and ribbons of precious metal to add texture and dimension
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Try a non-standard shape such as a geometric design or a design inspired by nature
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Incorporate gemstones, either along the band or even on the bezel itself, with a signet carved around perfectly chosen stones
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Use multicoloured designs
A Dominant Stone
Instead of a traditional signet ring, opt for a single, ideally chosen and appropriately carved stone that can stand on its own despite not being worn on a traditional finger.
Whilst the signet ring trend has doubtlessly helped this stand out, it is most commonly associated with Kylie Jenner and her pear diamond ring.
Despite being relatively simple in concept, it requires a particularly high level of technical skill to allow it to comfortably fit on the little finger and enable it to look like it floats.
Layering Smaller Rings
The pinky ring trend emerged alongside ring stacking, and proves that the best way to make a big impact is to wear several smaller impacts that are carefully layered and paired together.
The advantage there is that you do not need to commit as strongly to one look; Once you have a number of smaller rings, you can create some beautiful layered combinations.
Embracing Minimalism
Sometimes, less is more when it comes to pinky rings, and a thin, carefully designed and curated band can have just as gigantic an impact as Kylie Jenner’s pear ring.
Try new materials, new stones and new finishes and opt for subtle changes rather than opulent excess.