A signet ring is a piece of jewellery which, in addition to its decorative function, also has a practical use. It can be used like a stamp seal to emboss certain symbols in wax in order to identify a specific sender or validity. In the past, seals were used on documents to certify their authenticity, since only certain institutions had the respective seal coat of arms. The possession of a signet ring was therefore synonymous with a special and elevated position; it was considered a privilege to possess such a functional piece of jewellery. The history of the signet ring goes back to the ancient Egyptians about 4000 years ago. The scarab beetle in particular was held as a symbol in the rings, which are still made of different materials (gold, silver, bronze, copper, etc.) today. A signet ring can be made in two ways: Either it is cast into one piece or it is composed of two parts (plates and bail). In any case, a signet ring always has a flattened surface with a special symbol. This symbol is shown mirror-inverted on the ring in order to be visible in the wax impression when correctly aligned. The most famous signet ring in the world is the Pope's fisherman's ring, which is made individually for each Pontifex Maximus.
