American University Gold Ring

Americans have the habit of celebrating graduation by giving themselves a gold ring with the symbols and coat of arms of their school, what they commonly call «graduation ring», that is, a ring that is identical for all students in the class and personalized by engraving the year of graduation.

This tradition is not widespread in French higher education institutions.CComfortable, the rings of this model correspond more to the need for a personalized ring according to the recipient’s tastes.

Creating such a signet ring follows some basic rules that can be followed if you want to create your own promotional signet ring.

This university signet ring features the school crest (source)

Example of a gold university ring with ruby ​​made to measure in our laboratory.

Custom made gold university signet ring

The American university ring

The tradition of the college ring dates back to the class of 1835 at West Point Military Academy, symbolizing esprit de corps and solidarity within the group.

It then gradually spread to civilian college campuses across the United States.

Meanings of American College Rings

By its origin, the university signet ring is a men’s ring with a large design from military academies used to emphasize the cohesion of military promotion, a symbol of group membership and loyalty to one’s comrades.

Now that the university ring is also widespread in civil universities, it is the symbol and reminder of the university years and student life.

The very serious Amy Vanderbilt, American authority on etiquette, underlined that the university ring was worn (a bit like the classic signet rings) with the coat of arms facing the wearer during the years of study (to remember the goal to be achieved), and then turned outwards once graduated.

The design of the signet rings of American universities

Generally, a signet ring of this type is masculine in style, made of silver or gold. The signet ring must bear the coat of arms of the School when equipped with one. In the case of universities without a coat of arms, it is common to see a ruby, a sapphire or small diamonds set on the ring plaque.

Key Elements of an American College Signet Ring (source)

Since the ring amounts are generally large, we find engraved the key symbols and dates of promotion and school.

We therefore generally find on one side the date of foundation of the school and on the other the year in which the promotion diploma was obtained.

We can also find symbols engraved on the buildings or of the founder or benefactor of the university, since it must be remembered, many American (private) universities were founded by industrialists or financed by patrons: thus Stanford University was founded by the railway magnate Leland Stanford or even Harvard University which takes its name in homage to the pastor John Harvard who in 1638 bequeathed his library and half of his assets to the college founded two years earlier.

The coat of arms or center stone is usually surrounded by an engraving of the school’s name.

American college plays

You can find explanations of the Pennsylvania Military Academy’s now closed Class Ring project here.

The making of university rings

Since it is common to have college rings made in the USA and promotions, given their size, allow it, many companies mass produce these rings as shown in this video.

Our production process is very similar to this, although we generally use the same production means to create single pieces or small series of rings.

Other examples of signet rings of this type

Here are some examples of similar style rings or signet rings made in our workshop, in 925 silver or 18k gold and with always new and personalized engravings.

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