As far back as 3500 BC, people in Mesopotamia began using signet seals. These were usually cylindrical devices that would be rolled across wet clay, leaving a recognizable impression. They sealed jars and packages this way.
This is the commencement of the Business seal which is still used by some companies today.
In ancient Egypt, pharaohs and nobles used signet rings made of stone or a blue pottery called faience. These rings were flat on one side, with an ornately inscribed design with symbols and hieroglyphic writing.
The Bible contains references to signet rings as in the story of Daniel in the lion’s Den. The king closed the mouth of the den, and then sealed it with his signet ring and those of his nobles, so that Daniel could not escape. (Daniel 6:17)
In Medieval times, important people used a signet ring to sign and seal their letters which proved they were authentic and prevented tampering and forgeries.
This marked these noble men as a member of the highest class and above ’common men’!
Legitimate signet rings were very rare as they were not copied and usually destroyed when the wearer died. This was to avoid the possibility of forged documents.
By the 19th Century, rings became more ornate as precious stones were added, by which time they were mainly crafted from silver or gold.
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