A piece of jewellery is more than the sum of its parts; it is a piece of your personal story that expresses something significant about you and your journey to enjoy now and in the future.
This is part of the appeal of signet rings in particular; whilst their function as a symbol of authority and identity has long passed, they are one of the most common ways to wear particularly intricate and meaningful iconography.
A signet ring is an unforgettable gift rich with meaning and significance, and our bespoke commissioning service makes it easier than ever to get the perfect design for your loved one. Here is the process you should expect.
Initial Consultation
Whilst we have a dedicated bespoke signet ring option available if you want a standard shape but a bespoke design, we also offer the option for bespoke commissions if you have a particular shape in mind or want the design of the signet ring to extend beyond the main surface.
We offer a complimentary consultation to discuss your needs, explore ideas, showcase any inspiration or sketches and discuss your budget. We can help, whether you have a crystal clear vision of your perfect ring or some loose ideas that an expert can tie together.
Design Phase
Following your consultation, we will start work on developing the design for the signet ring of your dreams.
If you already have a crest or seal design we will work with that, but we can also sketch a design as well, and we will present them to you alongside sketches of the ring as a whole and three-dimensional computer-generated designs.
This will combine with our extensive expertise in jewellery construction to create a set of designs that we can present to you either by email or in our store.
Once they are ready, we will work with your feedback and suggestions to modify the design until it is perfect for you and you give it your seal of approval.
Wax Replica
Whilst you can see a lot of the ideas on the page or the screen, they often do not compare to how a ring will look in person, and this is where we will produce a wax replica of your chosen design.
Using precision 3D printing technology, we can create a replica prototype of your design precise enough to look at and even wear in our showroom, with stones able to be fitted depending on the design in question.
We can offer advice and suggestions, as well as make final design alterations to ensure it is perfect for you.
Stone Placement
Signet rings are unusual compared to other rings when it comes to stone placement. In some cases, gems will not be set at all, whilst in other cases the jewels are a fundamental part of the design.
We will work with you to bring your ideal design to life and ensure you get the chance to examine every stone you would like to have fitted.
Only once this stage is completed will the deposit be requested to turn the replica into a real, timeless piece.
Traditional Ring Making
Once the design is finally approved, our team of experienced goldsmiths will work in our on-site workshop to craft your ring using traditional techniques augmented by our precision high-tech planning.
This combination of artisanry and technology allows us to craft rings with a remarkable level of precision, setting diamonds and crafting engravings with the deftest of hands.
Carving The Signet Seal
The most important stage of the signet ring is engraving the seal itself. There are two types of seal engraving that we do: surface cut and deep seal.
A surface cut looks elegant but as it is not designed to be functional, it is typically a shallower form of engraving with a design that is carved with no intention for the ring to be used to imprint a seal.
The more popular option, especially for bespoke signet rings, is deep seal engraving. This traditional process engraves the design by hand in reverse so that when it is pressed into wax, the design imprint is not mirrored and reflects your name, monogram, crest or heraldic symbols accurately.
Finishing Touches
The final flourishes are key to making a piece of jewellery special, and we will meticulously hand finish and perfectly polish all of our pieces to give them a flawless finish and immaculate presentation based on your needs and desires.
This includes the presentation box, which with a signet ring includes a test imprint.