Father’s Day Gift Guide: The Best Men’s Rings

A range of customized Rebus Signet Rings.

From signet to pinky rings or signets worn on the little finger to edgy rock and roll styles— rings are back in style for men and provide an excellent gift for fathers, sons, stepdads and any man who has played a significant role in your life. A recent story on pinky rings for women (here) gives a brief history of the man’s ring worn by everyone from royalty to mobsters. In upper-crust European society, they began to signify power, wealth, honor or position. From the mid-20th century in the U.S., pinky rings have been associated with the music business, from the Rat Pack to rappers. But they were most renowned in the U.S. for their association with real-life gangsters and those portrayed in film and on TV: the Godfather trilogy, Goodfellas, Casino, Donnie Brasco and the hit HBO series “The Sopranos.” Perhaps the fact that they stood for honor, loyalty and being part of a clan gave them their place in the Cosa Nostra. But over the years, the bad rep wore off, and a variety of styles could be seen on A-list actors and on King Charles III, who has been photographed in his pinky signet in every photo in which you can see his hand. Many of the pinky rings were also signets that were once used as a signature or a form of legal authentication and later as identification for different types of work or hobbies. When pressed into sealing wax, signet rings have long been one of the most functional rings throughout history. They were signifiers of identity and offered insight into the people wearing them. Today they do not have the function of sealing a letter or authenticating a document, but they are still linked to self-expression. From Brad Pitt to Tom Holland, celebrities are sporting signets on different fingers of their hands. And for those men who are a “little bit country and a little bit rock and roll,” there are rings for you too.

Here is a range of looks for those styles that would make meaningful Father’s Day gifts and can be worn on any finger except for the one reserved for the wedding band.

If the man you are purchasing for is an enthusiast about outer space and constellations, then Castro Smith’s hand engraved 9K yellow gold signet ring in yellow gold with a black onyx ring around a concave galaxy with a center diamond and ceramic plating with chiseled ring sides is a gift you want to consider for him. It can be worn on any finger and would look out of this world as a pinky ring

A bold statement from Stephen Webster, this 14K yellow gold Men’s Herringbone Signet Ring engraved and rose-cut red garnet is for a guy who likes the general shape of a signet ring but prefers something with more texture and color.

Give the receiver of this Sydney Evan 14k yellow gold and diamond Horseshoe Icon signet ring the gift of luck this Father’s day if he is an equestrian, even better! And it’s a perfect option and proportion for a man’s pinky ring.

For the guy who isn’t shy about wearing chunky gold with large gemstones, this Mateo 14K London Blue Topaz Signet Ring will allow him to stand out.

Briony Raymond’s 18K yellow gold and diamond Zodiac Signet ring. It is ornately detailed for a guy who desires a more ornate version of his sign.

Stephen Webster’s 18K yellow gold Flipside Initial Ring features a spinning coin giving the receiver of this gift the versatility to switch up how he wears it. ‘Heads’ is a King Beetle; one way up, and it’s a King’s head wearing a crown, the other. You can personalize ‘Tails’ with an initial set in black enamel, as shown here with the letter ‘A.’

For men with varying moods or who like to change their looks, another version of a ring that flips so you can wear it on either side is Dries Criel’s Signet Reversible ring. This version is in 18K white and black diamonds; the other side can have another color of diamonds or be plain gold and engraved with dates, names, initials or a word. It is also available in a range of colored stones and metals.

If your guy prefers something with a hardware feeling and an edgy sensibility, this Rainbow K 14K gold and diamonds Versus ring may be just the right fit.

If dad or the man you are buying for was born in the month of May and emerald is his birthstone or if he just prefers a ring with a vibrantly colored stone, then Lizzie Mandler’s 18K Large Knife Edge Signet with t knife edge detailing is a ring worth checking out. The geometrical forms of the ring give it a unisex feel.

Roxanne First has designed her pinky ring in 14K white gold ring pavéd with blue sapphires, inspired by old world and mid-twentieth century styles, which she has modernized for the man of today.

EÉRA’s 18K gold Long Beach Ring is elongated to sit on the finger from east to west with rows of diamonds. It’s dramatic and might not be for everyday wear, but it will definitely dress up his more timeless clothes and accessories and be as fun as it is dramatic to wear on any finger.