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The Manufacture Of Signet Rings

The Bentley & Skinner signet ring is meticulously handcrafted and hand finished in our Mayfair premises using traditional techniques that demand the highest level of skill and expertise. Our signet rings are die stamped and hand forged rather than the more common practice of casting the metal into shape.

The drop hammer and rope

Gold plate and die

Adjusting the die

Die-stamped gold plate

Filing of the plate

Heating the gold

Annealing the gold

Forming the ring

The finished product

A rolled blank sheet of gold or other precious metal is placed between specially shaped dies and, when subjected to great weight when the hammer is dropped, is cut and compressed to its desired shape, resulting in a sharp and extremely dense result. This is similar to the process used by the Royal Mint to manufacture coins. The flat profile is then annealed and forged by one of our expert goldsmiths into a blank signet ring ready for engraving. The forging hardens the precious-metal resulting in an incredibly strong signet ring with a superb finish.

Casting metal on the other hand gives it a coarse texture, reducing its strength and durability and making it far more difficult to buff the ring for engraving. Not only is our final product from the stamping visually superior to the method of casting (where the gold is melted and poured into a mould to solidify), but the compressed metal from the stamping presents a much more sharply defined engraving. The classic Bentley & Skinner die-stamped signet ring also makes for a far more durable heirloom enabling the ring to be passed through many generations.

The Bentley & Skinner Signet Ring

Create Your Own Signet Ring

Explore the steps to create a customised Bentley & Skinner signet ring. Once you have decided on the elements of your unique ...

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About the Bentley & Skinner Signet Ring

Offering the best of British tradition and understated elegance, Bentley & Skinner have been supplying signet rings since 1880.

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The History Of The Signet Ring

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Signet Ring Engraving

The finishing touch to any signet ring is the engraving. Bentley & Skinner are proud to have access to the UK’s finest hand ...

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Heraldry & Coats Of Arms

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The Etiquette Of Wearing A Signet Ring

The ubiquitous signet ring has evolved from a functional piece of jewellery to a stylish staple. For millennia, men wore signet rings ...

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In The Press

Bentley & Skinner has been featured in several press articles, including Country Life. These articles highlight the company's ...

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