Nothing personalises a piece of jewellery more than a unique engraving, which can either be a subtle addition that is almost invisible to the naked eye, or a statement part of the piece. But did you know there is more than one way to engrave jewellery?
In this guide, we explain how to engrave jewellery to get the results you want.
Jewellery can be engraved in a variety of ways but all require specialist tools. Hand engraving is the oldest and most traditional method and requires artisan tools like mounters and steel cutters. Hand engraving jewellery is an art and can require a certain level of skill to achieve. Another popular method of jewellery engraving is with lasers. While laser engraving machines do the work of getting a design onto your jewellery, they require specialist design files and engraving software.
We offer jewellery engraving for our bespoke pieces, including remodelled jewellery. We use different kinds of jewellery engraving according to your individual design.
High-powered lasers burn the engraving into the surface of the metal. It’s a highly accurate process that can be programmed to reflect different fonts and designs. Engraving jewellery using lasers can be on the inside or outside of the piece.
Where there’s a longer, more detailed (or more personal) message you want to laser engrave onto jewellery, this can be microscopically etched so it is invisible to the naked eye. This works particularly well in the inside of rings and small spaces where it would be hard for hand engraving to achieve good results.
A centuries-old technique that dates back to the 5th century BC. Artisanal tools are used to hand engrave the metal. Hand engraving jewellery provides a more traditional look and the grooves have a certain ‘polish’ to them as the metal is almost cut due to the sharp tools that are used.
With hand engraving, it can be hard to include too much detail on the inside of a ring, but its finish is perfect for signet rings and other jewels. You can also do reverse engravings which means that the ring can be used as a seal. Fonts are more limited, with the option of a Times or Script style.
This is an official ‘mark’ that is made to certify the content of noble metals such as platinum and gold. At Veale Fine Jewellery, we work with the London Assay Office, who test the metal content and then discretely stamp or laser engrave the piece to verify its quality. Veale Fine Jewellery’s Maker’s Mark is also applied to every piece that leaves our workshop.
We understand there’s a lot to think about when buying jewellery. As well as taking care of the design, our expert team is here to guide you through the everything else you might need to bear in mind, from getting the ring size right, to making the best choices for your budget and insurance.
Jewellery is a significant investment and often a highly personal purchase. At Veale Fine Jewellery we pride ourselves on building ongoing relationships with our clients – providing all the advice and support you need to keep your jewellery sparkling and at its best.
