A signet ring is one of the oldest pieces of jewelry a man can wear, and one of the few that carries a meaning of its own. For Christian men it has a deeper history still: the Church has given rings as a sign of faith and service for well over a thousand years. This guide explains where the Christian signet ring comes from, what the symbols on it mean, and how to choose one, with pieces from our collection, all original designs by Marina, designed in the Holy Land.
What Is a Signet Ring?
The name comes from its original purpose. A signet carried its owner's personal mark, pressed into warm wax to seal a letter or a document. Whatever was sealed with the ring carried the owner's word and good name. That is why the signet has always been a ring of identity and trust rather than ornament.
A Christian signet ring keeps the same idea and changes the mark. Instead of a family crest, it carries a sign of faith: a cross, the name of Christ, or the image of a saint. The wearer's "seal" becomes a quiet statement of what he believes and who he belongs to.
The Bishop's Ring: The Church's Own Ring Tradition
Christians have worn signs of faith on their rings since the earliest centuries: around AD 200, Clement of Alexandria advised believers to choose a dove, a fish, a ship or an anchor for their signets. The Church's own ring tradition is the episcopal ring, the ring a bishop receives at his consecration. Records of bishops receiving a ring go back to the early seventh century, and the words long used when the ring is presented call it the seal of faith. By tradition it is worn on the ring finger of the right hand, and in the Catholic Church it is often set with an amethyst, a stone whose deep purple has long been linked with spiritual devotion.
The bishop's ring itself belongs to the office. But its form, a substantial ring set with a stone, has inspired signet rings that any believer can wear as a personal reminder to live in the service of God. Our Bishop's Amethyst Cross Ring follows that form, with a faceted natural amethyst in a rope-twist frame, a polished cross on each side of the band, and the words "In Servitio Dei," in the service of God, engraved inside the band.
Christian Symbols on Signet Rings and What They Mean
The symbol on the face of the ring is what makes it personal. These are the signs Christians have worn longest, and what each one says.
The Cross
The first and best-known sign of the faith. On a signet it says, in a single shape, who the wearer follows: Christ, who gave Himself out of love and rose again.
The Jerusalem Cross
One large cross surrounded by four smaller ones. The four small crosses are often read as the four Gospels carried from Jerusalem to the four corners of the earth. It is one of the most recognizable Christian symbols of the Holy Land, and a strong, distinctive choice for a man's ring.
Men's Jerusalem Cross Signet, Blue Enamel
$200
A Jerusalem Cross on a round face of deep blue enamel, with anchor crosses and scrollwork on the oxidized silver shoulders.
Men's Jerusalem Cross Ring, 14K Gold-Plated
$280
A Jerusalem Cross raised in 14K gold-plating on a round face of deep blue enamel, with block-pattern silver shoulders.
Gold-Plated Jerusalem Cross Signet with Eilat Stone
$310
A gold-plated Jerusalem Cross on a square face of Eilat Stone, with a gold-plated Jerusalem Cross on each shoulder.
Jerusalem Cross Eilat Stone Signet, Polished Rim
$120
A Jerusalem Cross atop blue-green Eilat Stone on a slim sterling silver band.
Shop all Jerusalem Cross rings
Other Early Christian Signs
Christian signet rings have also carried the Chi-Rho, which joins the first two Greek letters of the name of Christ and has been used since the fourth century; the JHS (or IHS) monogram of the name of Jesus; the Saint Benedict medal; and the Agnus Dei, the Lamb of God, which recalls the words of John the Baptist:
"Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" John 1:29 (NIV)
$470
The Chi-Rho monogram on a cross-shaped face of black onyx, with "Alpha and Omega" engraved inside the band.
Men's JHS Christogram Signet, Two-Tone
$580
Raised gold JHS letters framed by an oxidized silver Greek key border, with "Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam" engraved inside.
Men's Agnus Dei Signet, Two-Tone
$580
The Lamb of God with its cross-topped banner in raised gold, bordered by a Greek key pattern in oxidized silver.
Men's Saint Benedict Signet Ring
$240
The Saint Benedict medal on the signet face, with polished cross reliefs on the shoulders and "Saint Benedict" inside the band.
Choosing the Stone and Finish
Eilat Stone is a blue-green stone found in the region of the Red Sea, often called King Solomon's Stone, and no two pieces show the same pattern. For a man who wants his ring to carry a connection to the lands of the Bible, it is a natural choice.
Black and white pavé gives a cross a bold, contemporary look, while plain sterling silver keeps the focus on the symbol itself. Gold-plated crosses on silver add warmth and a more formal look.
Men's Eilat Stone Cross Signet, Gold-Plated
$310
A smooth gold-plated cross on a square face of Eilat Stone, with oxidized shoulders.
Men's Eilat Stone Hammered Cross Signet, Gold-Plated
$360
A hammered gold-plated cross on a cushion of Eilat Stone, with engraved interwoven lines on the oxidized shoulders.
Men's Pavé Cross Signet, Black & White
$360
A cross of clear Cubic Zirconia on a face paved edge to edge in black Cubic Zirconia.
Beaded Cross Signet, Hammered Face
$170
A beaded cross on a hammered oval signet face, framed by a rope-twist border. A classic first signet.
How to Wear and Size a Christian Signet Ring
Start with the symbol. A plain cross is the simplest and most universal choice. The Jerusalem Cross adds the meaning of the Gospel shared with the whole world, and a stone such as Eilat Stone makes the ring more personal.
Choose the finish. Plain sterling silver is classic and easy to wear every day. Two-tone pieces, with gold-plated detail, make a stronger statement and suit a milestone gift.
Pick the hand. There is no fixed rule for a layman. Many men wear a signet on the little finger of their non-dominant hand; others follow the bishop's tradition and wear it on the right ring finger.
Get the size right. Each of our rings has one price in every size. If you are buying a gift, borrow a ring he already wears on the same finger and have it measured, or see our ring size chart.
A Meaningful Gift for Him
A signet ring marks a moment: a Confirmation, an ordination anniversary, a wedding, a birthday, or Christmas. It is a gift that will be worn every day for decades. For more ideas for him and for the rest of your list, see our Catholic Christmas gift guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a layperson wear a bishop's ring?
The episcopal ring itself is given to a bishop at his consecration and belongs to his office. Signet rings inspired by its design, with a stone and a cross, are worn by many Christians as a personal reminder of faith.
What is the difference between a signet ring and a regular cross ring?
A signet has a flat or gently domed face that carries a symbol, like a seal. A cross ring is usually a band with a cross set into or along it.
Which finger should a Christian signet ring be worn on?
Any finger that is comfortable. The little finger of the non-dominant hand is the most common choice for signets, while bishops traditionally wear their ring on the right ring finger.
