How to Make a Signet Ring

Jewelry is a staple of many people’s wardrobes, and the uniqueness of these pieces can say a lot about someone’s personality. Rings, in particular, are very symbolic, which is why someone may wish to craft their own signet rings. Traditionally, these rings were worn to convey something about the wearer, and they also doubled as a wax stamp. Today, they boast a simple design that’s easily customized. So, how do you make your own?

Cut Out a Template

Firstly, you’ll need a template, which you can mathematically calculate or achieve through trial and error. Otherwise, you might be able to find a template online that you can print out in the appropriate size. Whichever method you opt for, you can glue the template to some copper stock before sawing out the shape and filing it.

Approximately Form the Ring

Once you’ve got the shape, you can use pliers to twist the ring into an approximate form. The main goal of this step is to get the two ends to meet; the shape doesn’t have to be perfect at this point. Essentially, you want to create a strong welding joint, which means closing the gaps.

Weld the Edges Together

After getting all the ends as close to each other as possible, it’s time to fuse these parts together. Since these are relatively simple joins, you shouldn’t have too much trouble in getting them to connect. Don’t worry about the ring looking perfect at this point; the refinement will come later in the process.

Mould the Ring

Once everything is all joined together, you can work towards the desired shape of your ring. In order to achieve this, you should place the ring on a mandrel and beat the band around it. At this point, the ring should be much too big for you. As you beat the ring, make sure you don’t employ too much force.

Dome the Band

Next, you need to bring the ring closer to your finger size. This means doming the band, rounding the ring, and filing the inside. To be successful, you should alternate between doming and rounding. The extent of work needed will depend on the ring itself, as well as the size of your finger. Take it gradually so that you don’t overdo it.

Add the Inner Casing

Following this is the creation of comfort, which is achieved by bending a copper sheet and placing it into the hole. As with the template, the size of this can either be determined mathematically or via trial and error. Once you’ve got your desired size, you can weld the inner casing to the ring.

Clean It Up

Due to lots of bending and welding, the ring will have elements of overhang, which need to be removed. This can be achieved by the use of saws and files to shape the ring accordingly. In doing so, don’t forget about the open bezel on the top of the ring; this will need to be flat before a lid is welded on.

Fuse the Top

The penultimate step involves fusing a lid onto the ring. This is a simple step, wherein a signet face can be cut from the offcuts of copper stock and welded on. Alternatively, you might use a coin or something else creative.

A Final Clean Up

Last but not least, you need to conduct a final clean-up. This means filing, sanding, and polishing excessively until the ring is the correct shape and as shiny as you would expect it to be.


That’s it; you’re now left with a beautifully unique signet ring!