Signet rings have long been associated with heritage, tradition, and identity. At our London bespoke jewellery atelier, we create a significant number of signet rings, many of which are seal engraved with family crests, coats of arms, mottos, or initials passed down through generations. This commission offered a particularly refreshing challenge: to design an entirely original crest for a seal-engraved signet ring, created to celebrate the recipient’s 50th birthday.

Although a family crest existed, the intention was to move beyond formal heraldry and create something more personal – an emblem that reflected the wearer’s own story. Drawing on meaningful connections to Mauritius and a lifelong passion for cricket, the design process became an exercise in storytelling rather than replication.

Narell, our designer, produced a detailed pencil drawing that formed the foundation of the ring. At its centre sits a dodo, a powerful and symbolic reference to Mauritius, rendered with character and presence. Alongside it, a cricket bat provides a clear but understated nod to the recipient’s love of the sport, while a subtle reference to the family crest ensures continuity with tradition without overpowering the new narrative.

The result was a contemporary crest that felt deeply personal, balanced, and timeless.
The final signet ring was crafted in gold and seal engraved with exceptional precision. Every element of the original hand-drawn artwork was faithfully translated into the engraving, requiring an extraordinary level of skill from our engraver to achieve such depth, texture, and clarity at a small scale. The finished ring was presented alongside the original drawing, allowing the recipient to see the journey from concept to completion.

This commission perfectly demonstrates the freedom that bespoke jewellery allows. Traditions can be honoured, reimagined, or created entirely anew. There are no limits to what a signet ring can represent—and in this case, the finished piece was so well loved that the original W&W artwork now proudly features as the recipient’s WhatsApp image.