Is there a market for custom signet rings in color?

Guye Pennington · Post by **Guye Pennington** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 3:42 am

Greetings, all! I am currently exploring the creation of titanium signet rings with color armorial achievements. The color is actually permanently etched into the ring, and as titanium is an extremely material, the ring should last for multiple generations without material loss of color. Of course, there are a variety of signet rings available on the market, including some which use gemstones for a limited color display. But I am not aware of any other signet rings where the full armorial achievement is displayed in complete color. My company could also produce platinum or gold signet rings, but these would not be available in color as the platinum/gold cannot be processed to hold color -- as the gold and platinum signet rings would not be unique in the marketplace, I am considerably less inclined to offer them.

My question to the group is whether you think such a venture is commercially viable. To re-tool the titanium facility to construct signet rings would run about $100,000, so I would need to sell at least 100 of the rings in the next year or so to even recoup the start-up costs (I imagine each custom ring would sell for $1,000; clients would send me their respective armorial achievements and we would prepare first a sample ring in plastic for the client's approval and then prepare the real titanium ring).

What do you think? Are there at least 100 people in the world willing to pay $1,000 for a custom titanium signet ring? With laser etching, a full armorial achievement (crest, wreath, mantling, helm, coat of arms, supporters, motto, and even robes of estate where applicable) would be in full color.

Do you think this is a viable endeavor, or would I just be wasting our money?

Many thanks!
Guye Pennington

Chap · Post by **Chap** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 6:17 pm

If one was to consider color in a ring, I would not bother with a signet style but more of a rendition style like what I have commissioned as shown bellow.
I would though be interested in what it might look like and perhaps that would be the deciding factor.

J Duncan of Sketraw · Post by **J Duncan of Sketraw** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 2:58 am

I dont know Guye but I would think if people were going to spend that sort of money on a ring, they would be looking for something in a precious metal rather than Titanium for an heirloom or the like.

Perhaps looking an heraldic seals would be a better option plus your not just restricted to seals for the heraldists but also for business and other individuals that may want to use a wax impression seal or similar (laser Cut). I know you are looking at colour fastness in a titanium ring but a seal could be another option.

Guye Pennington · Post by **Guye Pennington** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 11:59 am

Greetings, all! Thanks for the great posts!

Chap, I thought I had a cool gold signet ring -- your heraldic ring blows mine away!! I noticed you went with rubies for the inclusion of color/colour -- very nice choice! I also like the addition of your crest on the side (I presume probably both sides at that).

John, great idea on broadening the line to include seals! If we re-tool the facility and get software capable of producing rings, we could probably use the same software to produce seals, bookplates, or even custom armorial engravings on swords or other medieval-esque products.

Thanks for the great feedback! I will speed up production of a prototype ring so that I may post an image here and elsewhere that I have posed this question.

Many thanks!
Guye

Chap · Post by **Chap** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 10:08 pm

Actually my family motto is inscribed to the opposite side, I wanted to use lapis stone in its base but it is a brittle stone and would eventually crack, so I went with a Hot enamel lapis inlay to insure long lasting durability.

J Duncan of Sketraw · Post by **J Duncan of Sketraw** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 3:11 am

It really is a nice piece of work Lorin

Chap · Post by **Chap** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 8:54 pm

Thanks, it was 3 months in the making but well worth the wait.
I thought the jeweler did a fantastic job and will use him again.

Chap · Post by **Chap** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 11:10 pm

Hello Guye, Just to let you know, the heraldic stamp works great... Thanks

J Duncan of Sketraw · Post by **J Duncan of Sketraw** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 3:12 am

Are we going to get a picture of your new stamp Loren? It would e nice to see the finished article and the result.

Chap · Post by **Chap** » Sun Jun 25, 2006 1:06 am

Sure thing, as soon as I get that darn scanner hooked up correctly

J Duncan of Sketraw · Post by **J Duncan of Sketraw** » Sun Jun 25, 2006 9:03 pm

I also think you need more practice on your 3D design program Loren.....you can always have a go at mine ...ahummmm

Chap · Post by **Chap** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 4:32 am

Sorry it took so long, it did not scan as clean as it looks.

Loren

Guye Pennington · Post by **Guye Pennington** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 8:47 pm

Cool pic! Thanks for displaying it!

I'm completely with you on how scans shown on the 'net don't really do justice to the picture. My examples on the website (www.armorial-heirlooms.com) really don't capture how cool the giclee pieces actually look in person. I'm going to talk to a graphic artist about how I can have cleaner and sharper scans of the work for the website...

But anyway, thanks for showing the stamp!

Guye

Chap · Post by **Chap** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 10:31 pm

Might get a stamp for my badge!

J Duncan of Sketraw · Post by **J Duncan of Sketraw** » Fri Sep 08, 2006 12:37 am

What's this I see Loren.... a new frilly bit round the escutcheon?

Chap · Post by **Chap** » Fri Sep 08, 2006 3:07 am

I’m experimenting and practicing my graphic program, trying different styles, techniques and so ons

Martin Goldstraw · Post by **Martin Goldstraw** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 1:54 pm

Chap wrote:I’m experimenting and practicing my graphic program, trying different styles, techniques and so ons

Reminiscent of the armorial era of the decadence.

The Armorial Register - International Register of Arms

Is there a market for custom signet rings in color?

Is there a market for custom signet rings in color?

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