Antique Memento Mori Skull & Crossbones Signet Ring | Hand Engraved Sterling Silver | Victorian–Edwardian Era | Petra Star
Antique Memento Mori Skull & Crossbones Signet Ring | Hand Engraved Sterling Silver | Victorian–Edwardian Era | Petra Star
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Some pieces of jewelry carry a philosophy. This antique sterling silver signet ring carries one of the oldest and most quietly radical ones: Memento Mori — the Latin reminder that life is finite, and therefore precious.
Hand-engraved onto a substantial oval signet face, the skull and crossbones motif is rendered with the confident, unfussy line work characteristic of a skilled artisan working at least a century ago. No mechanized precision here — every stroke was made by hand, which means no two lines are perfectly identical, and the wear of time has only deepened the graphic contrast between the engraved recesses and the polished silver field. The result is a piece that reads as powerfully across a room as it does up close.
The signet form itself carries centuries of authority — originally the domain of signet seals and family crests, adopted by Victorian and Edwardian mourning culture as a vehicle for deeply personal symbolism. Skull and crossbones imagery during this period was not morbid novelty; it was a sincere and widely practiced form of remembrance, a wearable meditation on mortality that wealthy and working-class mourners alike embraced. To wear a piece like this was to carry grief — or philosophy — visibly, proudly, on the hand.
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Pickup & Shipping
If you have specific delivery needs or timing requests, please contact us. While we strive to ensure timely delivery, we cannot guarantee dates and are not responsible for carrier delays.
Made-to-Order Items
Made-to-order pieces take approximately 4–6 weeks to craft. We’ll email you once your item is ready to arrange delivery.
One-of-a-Kind Items
These unique items are typically ready for pickup or delivery within 24 hours during business hours. You’ll receive an email when your order is ready. Please allow up to 2 weeks for resizing prior to shipment.
Local Pickup
Available at our downtown Mystic showroom during business hours. We’ll email you to schedule your pickup appointment once your order is ready.
Shipping
Once your item is ready, you’ll receive an email with shipping details. View our shipping policy and for terms and information about international orders.
Sizing
Rings
The majority of our rings are one-of-a-kind. If you would like to order a ring in a specific size, please contact us and we will do our best to accommodate your request.
Helping you find the perfect fit is our priority. There is a flat fee of $60 to size down. The sizing-up cost varies based on width of the ring and the amount of material required.
Keep in mind that finger sizes fluctuate due to factors such as temperature and time of day. Rings with an open space under the mounting, as well as contour bands, may fit differently than fully round rings.
Ring sizings take 3 weeks before they ship.
Our Materials
Our Petra Star signature pieces are made-to-order using recycled alloys. Custom items are available in the following materials:
- 14k yellow, rose, or white gold
- 18k yellow, rose, or white gold
- Palladium
- Platinum
If the item you are considering is not available to purchase in your preferred metal/color, please get in touch with us to discuss your specific request.
Our one-of-a-kind items are only available "as is.” We are happy to discuss the options for remaking a similar piece in a different metal to your specifications—it's one of our specialties.
Depending on the light source and viewing angle, the color of natural gemstones may vary. The depiction of color online and in images may not always accurately reflect the colors that are visible in person. Whenever possible, we recommend viewing the item in person to ascertain its true color.
Custom Designs
Schedule a consultation with our in-house designer and owner of Petra Star, Dimitria. We love getting to know you and pairing the perfect piece to your lifestyle and aesthetic.