Jewelry engraving is a timeless technique that adds a personal touch and greater significance to any piece. This type of customization provides the opportunity to include a special date, sentimental message, or even initials on your jewelry. Colonial Jewelers offers several types of engraving styles in order to create cherished heirlooms. Let’s explore those options as well as an overview of the tools used and the historical significance of engraving.
History: Engraving jewelry began thousands of years ago in ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Greece. Of course, engraving was much more simple then as it was done by hand with chisels or hammers. Its purpose was a bit more functional, too: most engraving denoted status or rank, or marked ownership and significant events.
Purpose: In modern times, engraving is used to add a touch of personalization to a piece of jewelry. Popular choices include significant dates such as a birthday or anniversary, short quotations, personal messages, or initials. Laser engraving can produce fingerprints or other designs.
Hand engraving: Engraving that is composed of deeper cuts with subtle variations offering a unique artistic character. Best for precious metal and for heirloom feel.
Laser engraving: A more precise style where a laser beam is focused onto the metal surface where it leaves a permanent mark. Its high precision allows the engraver to take either a hand drawn image or digital rendering to engrave. Best for alternative metals, intricate designs, and for crisp engraving.
A few FAQs:
– How long does it take to engrave? It depends on the piece and preferred style of engraving. Hand engraving typically takes up to two weeks time and laser takes 4-6 weeks.
– What types of jewelry can be engraved? Essentially we are looking for a flat surface that is dense enough to take the impact of the engraving. If you have a piece that you’re looking to engrave, bring it to us and we will take a look at the feasibility! If you’re thinking of engraving a new piece from us, let us know that it is your intention, and we will make recommendations for you.
– Can engraved rings be resized? It depends on where the engraving is located and if there’s any spare space at the base of the shank to size the ring. If the engraving has to be removed to size the ring, we can replicate it for a small fee.
– Can I remove or change the engraving? Yes. Engraving can be polished out and we can put something new in its place. Just keep in mind that we can’t typically remove just part of the engraving and keep the rest due to the process in which we remove the engraving.