From the new season of bodice-ripping Regency drama Bridgerton, to Netflix hits like The Gentlemen and One Day, we can't help but notice that signet rings are having a pop culture resurgence.

Come with us as we explore signets as seen on stars and screen, including some of Rebus' very own creations. We'll walk through TV and movie history to uncover what makes these rings such an enduring icon of pop culture through the years.

The Regency is back. While Pride and Prejudice and the works of Jane Austen have long captured hearts and minds, a new generation is falling back in love with the elegance and romanticism of the Regency period, thanks to the runaway success of Netflix shows Queen Charlotte and Bridgerton. And if you look beyond the powdered wigs and empire-line dresses, there's plenty of inspiration to be taken from the jewellery collections of our favourite characters. 

In fact, our Keeper Ring collection is inspired by the sweeping love story of the Georgian royal couple. First conceived by tastemaker Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III, the companion band she wore was set with diamonds and worn above her engagement ring. Engraved with her wedding date, this ring safeguarded her engagement stone and deepened its sentimental value.

A timeless symbol of protection and enduring love, our Keeper Rings are handcrafted to order in a variety of precious metals and pavé set gemstones - diamonds, rubies, black diamonds, and sapphires - and can be worn alone, stacked, or alongside a Rebus Signet Ring.

The resurgence of interest in Georgian, Regency, and Victorian periods has also brought a renewed appreciation for archaeological revival jewellery, which was popular at the time. From our Era ring - inspired by the antique Romanesque signet rings displayed at the British Museum - to the vintage elegance of our scalloped Century ring, historical revivalism is the perfect style statement for those wishing to channel literary and pop culture heroines like Elizabeth Bennett or Penelope Bridgerton.

For those looking to channel 1950s Italian Riviera chic, we turn to Dickie Greenleaf in The Talented Mr. Ripley, or the Netflix revival Ripley, which sees the eponymous anti-hero sporting a stone-set signet. Our recommendation for those looking to cut 'la bella figura'? The Rebus Stone-Set Cushion Signet Ring in 18-carat yellow gold in onyx or bloodstone, which serves as the perfect homage to this retro style.

Sticking with mid-century style, classic gold signet rings can be seen in Mad Men, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and Tom Ford's A Single Man, with this debonair look continuing to inspire modern-day menswear.

Both heroes and villains in the James Bond franchise also wear signet rings; in Thunderball, Largo's signet is engraved with an octopus, symbolising his allegiance to the Spectre organisation, while Roger Moore in A View to a Kill adds a touch of innovation and humour with a hidden spy camera signet ring.

If you're always thinking about the Roman Empire, then news of the highly anticipated Gladiator sequel will have you eagerly anticipating a return to the grandeur and opulence of Ancient Rome. Looking back to Ancient Greek and Roman history, and the cinema it inspires, we can see that the tradition of wearing signet rings as a testament to power and status goes back thousands of years.

A symbol of status and identity, stone-set intaglio signet rings, with their sunken relief engravings, were a favourite among the ancients. These intricate designs typically featured portraits of individuals or gods, and beyond their decorative appeal served a functional purpose as wax seals to authenticate documents.

Alongside Gladiator II's Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal, other Hollywood darlings like Oscar Isaac and Timothée Chalamet can be seen sporting ancient-inspired signet rings in their blockbuster Dune franchise. In this sci-fi masterpiece - heavily inspired by the Roman and Ottoman Empires - Leto's ring, a large circular-faced signet, not dissimilar from our very own Origin ring, signifies the power of House Atreides, and mirrors the tradition of families who pass their signets from one generation to the next.

The appeal of signet rings extends well beyond historical dramas and classic films too; these enduring icons can be found in contemporary television and pop culture alike.

In Netflix's latest hit, The Gentlemen, Rebus takes a starring role. Reflecting the historical significance of signet rings among the UK's aristocracy, Rebus was commissioned to create a family ring, complete with bespoke Horniman Coat of Arms.

Engraved onto our Oxford Oval 55 Signet Ring, the Coat of Arms bears a family motto in Latin: 'Non sine periculo' or 'Not without danger'. As Theo James' character, Eddie Horniman, describes in one scene: “Nothing in life worth having comes without a little…danger.” 

In cult classic Saltburn, signets are in the spotlight too, as the Catton clan proudly sports theirs as a loud and proud disclaimer of their aristocratic roots. Real life imitates art, and these signet rings can be seen in the pages of British Vogue, where actors Jacob Elordi and Archie Madekwe were styled with their very own Rebus Signet Rings.

For Dexter from Netflix's One Day, his signet ring is a more subtle communication of his privilege and upbringing. Worn on his pinky, the ring is more vintage in style - reminiscent of the Rebus Landscape Oval. Made in silver rather than the traditional gold of the landed gentry, it serves as a marker of his social standing but with a nod to quiet luxury.

The signet ring is having a moment, and its resurgence in pop culture shows that this timeless accessory is here to stay. We can't wait to see where these iconic rings will appear next, and on whom, as they continue to captivate and inspire across generations.

Ready for your own moment in the spotlight? Get in touch to commission your very own signet ring at info@rebussignetrings.co.uk or book an appointment at our Hatton Garden workshop or via Zoom for a private consultation.