If the term “signet ring” triggers flashbacks to your school days wearing the classic two-heart ring complete with a coloured gemstone, you’re not alone.
While it was a 90s and early aughts jewellery staple, the gold signet ring has a rich history. It’s been around for centuries and was traditionally worn as a symbol of status and a nod to lineage (think of it as the original quiet luxury statement piece).
In recent years, however, the gold signet ring has transformed from a relic of the recent and not-so-recent past to a must-have piece of jewellery.
With the recent rise of the Roy’s on Succession and trends like “Old Money aesthetic” popping off on TikTok, it’s unsurprising the gold signet ring has made a comeback. Wearers have embraced their simplicity, versatility and aura of sentimentality the gold signet ring brings. Plus, it’s the perfect piece to anchor your ring stack.
While we still love the iconic sweetheart shape of our childhoods, there are now plenty of signet rings to choose from. Beloved staple jewellery brands like Mejuri and Sarah & Sebastian are taking the signet ring a glow-up, putting their own elevated twists on the classic.
So, if you’re looking to add a gold signet ring to your collection, scroll on for our top picks.
2024’s top gold signet rings
- Petite Oval Diamond Signet, $495.00, Sarah & Sebastian
- Small Heart Signet, $728.00, Mejuri
- Ying Signet Ring, $85.00, Arms of Eve
The Best Gold Signet Rings Of 2024
Sarah & Sebastian Petite Oval Diamond Signet
from $495.00 at Sarah & Sebastian
Best for: subtle sparkle
This piece from Sarah & Sebastian is a delicate, modern interpretation of the traditional signet ring. The oval face features a single diamond set in 10k gold. The ultimate in understated luxury.
Sizes: 44-56 | Colour: Gold | Materials: 10 Karat yellow gold, natural diamond
Key features:
- Tapered band
- 1.22mm thick
- 7mm x 5mm surface
- 0.01 total carat weight
Mejuri Small Heart Signet
from $728.00 at Mejuri
Best for: Personalised
If you’re wearing your heart on your sleeve type, this 14-karat gold signet ring from Mejuri is perfect for you. With a blank face, you can wear it plain or go for optional and complimentary engraving.
Sizes: 3-10 | Colours: gold and silver | Materials: 14k gold
Key features:
- Top width is 10mm
- Band width 2mm
- Complimentary engraving
Arms of Eve Yin Signet Ring
from $85.00 at Arms of Eve
Best for: Affordable
Arms of Eve explores the balance of energies in life through their jewellery pieces, and this gold signet ring is inspired by the concepts of yin and yang. In Chinese philosophy, Yin represents womanhood associated with the moon, darkness and the earth, symbolised here with the black agate center piece. The brand suggests purchasing this with their “Yang” ring and gifting it to a man in your life. Whether you subscribe to these principles or not, we think it’s the perfect piece for adding a little intrigue to your ring stack.
Sizes: 6-9 | Colours: gold and black | Materials: 14karat gold plated (1 micron thick), stainless steel, black agate
Key features:
- Engravings along band
- Black agate center piece
- E-coating for premium gloss finish
- Lead and nickel free
Mejuri Slim Rectangular Signet Ring
From $1250 at Mejuri
Best for: a masculine edge
This gender-neutral ring adds a masculine edge and is perfect for toughening up a feminine look whether you wear it with contrasting pieces in a stack, or alone.
Sizes: 7-12 | Colours: brushed gold, sterling silver, black titanium, titanium| Materials: 14k solid gold
Key features:
- 14k gold
- 1mm thickness
- 6mm width
Sarah & Sebastian Nymph Signet Ring
from $1400.00 at Sarah & Sebastian
Best for: ornate
This signet ring gives ethereal water-nymph vibes and features exposed swirling Australian marquise opal cabochons and melee diamonds in 10k gold. The only danger with this piece is that you won’t be able to take your eyes off it.
Sizes: 48-56 | Colour: Gold | Materials: 10k gold, marquise opals, diamonds
Key features:
- Tapered band
- 9mm x 11mm surface
- 0.02 total carat weight
- Natural diamond
- High shine finish
Yvonne Léon Gold Baby Chevalière Cœur Ring
from $1150.00 at SSENSE
Best for: 90s nostalgia
This piece from Parisienne fine jeweller Yvonne Léon balances sweetness with sophistication, featuring a coral bezel set in a 9-karat gold band with a 0.003-carat diamond.
Sizes: 4-9 | Colours: pearl (white), onyx (black), lapis lazuli (navy), malachite (emerald green), agate (red), gold, silver | Materials: 9k yellow gold, coral, diamond
Key features:
- 1cm x 1cm
- Bezel set
- Coral surface
Moniker Vinader Signature Ring
from $160.00 at Moniker Vinader
Best for: Slim
This slim ring is specifically designed for stacking and will add an elegant accent to any look.
Sizes: I-S | Colours: gold and silver | Materials: 18-karat gold vermeil
Key features:
- 18-karat gold vermeil
- Band width 3mm
- Depth 1mm
- Ring resizing complimentary
- 5-year warranty
Sora Solid Gold Signet Ring
from $239 at S-kin Studio
Best for: clean slate
This simple yet sophisticated style is an empty slate for you to engrave your own meaning to.
Sizes: 4-10 | Colours: gold| Materials:
Key features:
- 9k gold
- Band thickness `1.5mm
- Band width 1.7mm
Shay Zodiac 18-Karat Ring
from $3, 031 at Net-A-Porter
Best for: astrology fans
Forget initials, we want our personalisation in the form of diamond encrusted zodiac signs.
Sizes: 3-6US | Colours: gold | Materials: 0.10 carat diamonds, 18k gold
Key Features:
- 18k gold
- 0.10 carat diamonds
- Octagonal shape with rounded edges
What is a signet ring?
A signet ring is technically any ring with a “flat” face that can be engraved with markings, adorned with jewels and gems or left plain. Historically, signet rings have been adorned with markings that flagged you as part of a family or organisation. Whether it was a family crest, monogrammed initials, or family initials. Because they were worn to signal membership in an elite group, they were typically made with the most precious metal: gold. Some organisations have also issued gold signet rings. However, in 2024, they’re by and large a personalisable stylish addition to our jewellery boxes.
What is gold vermeil jewellery?
You may have seen gold vermeil in the materials of some of the gold signet rings on this list. Gold vermeil is the highest quality form of “gold plated” jewellery. It involves a 10k or higher gold coating of a minimum of 2.5 microns layered over a sterling silver band. Essentially, if you’re looking for a gold-plated ring, look out for vermeil gold
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This article originally appeared on Marie Claire Australia and is republished here with permission.
