Family Heirloom Signet Ring

• Oct 8, 2011

• #1

thecardigankid

One of the Regulars

Messages

236

Location

Beaufort, SC

So I have a family heirloom signet pinky ring from my grandmothers side of the family. Its a nice ring and at one time was engraved with an S on the top of the ring. Time has worn away the "S" to a very very faint outline that is almost non existent. I am trying to decide, as I can currently wear the ring and choose to do so from time to time, if I should get a new engraving over where the old one used to be. As I dont have an S anywhere in my name I see no reason for an "S" but yet I still have a little bit of a reservation as it is a family heirloom if I should alter it.

What are your thoughts on this?

 

• Oct 8, 2011

• #2

DNO

One Too Many

Messages

1,815

Location

Toronto, Canada

I'd leave it alone. Let it show it's age and it's history. Wear it with pride.

 

• Oct 8, 2011

• #3

HodgePodge

One of the Regulars

Messages

264

Location

Canada

Two votes for "leave it." My grandmother gave me a signet ring that was my grandfathers, initials aren't the same (same first, different last), but I wouldn't have it refaced for all the tea in china.

 

• Oct 8, 2011

• #4

Rathdown

Practically Family

Messages

572

Location

Virginia

Leave it as is, and if you feel obliged to have a signet ring with your initials (or crest, if you posses arms in your own right) then either buy a new one, or look for an antique (and good luck finding one that hasn't been melted down for it's gold content).

 

• Oct 11, 2011

• #5

dnjan

One Too Many

Messages

1,687

Location

Seattle

Agree, leave it.
But please post a photo!

 

• Oct 14, 2011

• #6

Belladonna_dea

Familiar Face

Messages

72

Location

Texas

I don't like altering antiques too much. Too bad she didn't alter it herself then I would have felt ok about it. But it kind of erases it's history. I vote for keeping it worn, or else get a new one. The S has meaning even though you don't have an S in your name because it come from your family I think .

 

• Oct 17, 2011

• #7

Mike in Seattle

My Mail is Forwarded Here

Messages

3,027

Location

Renton (Seattle), WA

If you decide to have a ring made - a thought is to have the existing ring melted down to create the new ring. Parts of my great great grandmother's wedding ring are now parts of a dozen or so rings of various cousins, aunts, uncles & other family members. And after decades of wearing, rings and gem-holding tines can get worn away and weakened. It's becomes a shared history, rather than one person having the "one" heirloom.