Family Crest Rings
Family Crest Ring and its Uses
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Let me give you some information about the history and background of these traditional family rings, and the meaning of heraldry as used in the making of the family crest rings.
Lets start with the crest where it can be found and the what it symbolises. The crest is to be found resting on the wreath on top of the shield and has given rise to the most amazing and widely held misunderstanding in the whole science of heraldry. An enormous amount of people the world over believe they have a crest even they know very well that they have no coat of arms. It is difficult to understand how this extraordinary state of affairs arose, but a lot of the blame must be attached to the nineteenth century heraldic stationers who actually encouraged the cult of the crest and who urged members of the public to write and enclose payment whereupon by return of post they would be given an authentic copy of their crest to use on their stationery and family crest rings and other heraldic jewelry.
The plain fact is that the crest cannot exist without the rest of the emblazon of arms, but of course it be displayed without the shield this is a matter of choice. But at the outset there must be a shield and as I say its up to you whether you use it or not. If any person does not have a coat of arms then they certainly will not have crest.
It is a widespread custom for people throughout the world, especially those of European origins to have crest engraved on signet rings and in some cases the entire coat of arms will be engraved on the ring or other items of jewelry.
Today generally speaking no grant of arms is made without a crest and only the very old families will have coats of arms without the crest.
The crest is so misused and misunderstood in the world of heraldry people use this word crest when in actual fact they mean emblazon of arms or coat of arms or achievement of arms. The crest was worn on top of the helmet and in the coat of arms it is shown in that position. On the family crest ring it is also shown on top of the coat of arms but can be on its own also perhaps on top of the wreath. If you see stationery the crest can be on the top left corner place on top of the wreath.
Uses
The family crest ring was used throughout the centuries as a means of identification for families. It was used to imprint the coat of arms in sealing wax on important documents and for the sealing of letters. A few drops of hot sealing wax was applied to the document or letter then after a few seconds before the wax went entirely hard, the ring was placed carefully over the wax, a gentle force was applied and the imprint of you family crest could be seen on the wax.
It is also used today to show off the family coat of arms when it is engraved on family crest rings.