Everything You Need to Know About Engraving

We’ve pulled together everything you might need to know about engraving. From the engraving techniques used today, including hand-engraving and laser engraving. To the ancient roots of engraving as a craft in Ireland. Read on to become an engraving expert. We’ve also compiled our advice on what to engrave and when, how much it should cost, as well as ideas for engraving drawn from our years of experience. Read on to become an engraving expert or just to learn how to make a treasured piece of jewellery truly unique.

How is Jewellery Engraved?

Engraving is an ancient craft, with roots stretching back millennia. Today, there are two main ways to engrave a piece of precious gold, silver or platinum jewellery; Hand-engraving or Machine Engraving.

Hand-engraving

Throughout it's long history, engraving was a craft painstakingly done by hand. And the tools that are used for hand-engraving today would look quite familiar to an ancient craftsperson. Hand held tools like gravers are used to carefully remove small amounts of metal to create a design.

The piece is finished by hand, polishing and refining the cuts to create the desired end result.

Hand-engravers are only restricted by the size of the surface, their skill, and their imagination. Common types of hand-engraving include images, repeating patterns, or lettering. Geometric patterns, simple line illustrations and lettering work best, as in these beautiful Gold Ogham wedding rings. The simple graphic nature of the Ogham text makes for a striking design ideal for engraving.

Gravers are the main tools used in the hand engraving process - tiny and very sharp hand held chisels that yield deep and bright cuts into the metal. With a series of gravers of different size, incredibly detailed and intricate engravings can be achieved.

Sadly hand-engraving has become quite rare these days. It’s a time consuming craft and as a result can be more expensive. We think that's a real shame. Hand-engraving gives a unique touch to each piece of jewellery as each engraver has their own distinct style. We are very proud to continue this craft with our jewellery, carefully hand-engraving our pieces to our customers specifications. Needless to say, our customers are delighted with the results. One-of-a-kind engravings and deep cuts ensure that these pieces will be a unique treasured family heirloom for years to come.

Machine Engraving

Much of the engraved jewellery you see today has been produced using a machine. Modern engraving machines operate in one of two ways, using either a laser or a diamond tipped bit to engrave a template drawn up and finalized on a linked computer system.

The advantage of this system is of course that it is quite a bit faster and eliminates most possibilities of human error - you just have to watch out for typos! Both diamond tip and laser machine engraving have a very neat finish. A variety of designs or fonts can be used, so long as the design works in black and white with a decent line weight. The final results can be stunning as you can see in the engraving for this delicate 18K gold Diamond Solitaire Engagement ring.

The Claddagh symbol of Love, Loyalty and Friendship combined with the Irish phrase "Mo Anam Cara" engraved inside the dainty band elevate and compliment the heart shaped setting of the diamond and make this a truly romantic Irish engagement ring. This design would be incredibly difficult to achieve with hand engraving. So for some designs, especially rings that have dainty bands, machine engraving is the natural choice if you are keen to have an intricate design with limited space.

Which Type of Engraving is Better?

Well as you can see that really depends on what you want to engrave and where! Both hand and machine engraving methods have advantages and disadvantages.

Machine engraving is somewhat better suited to very detailed designs on limited surfaces. However with machine engraving, we find that the cut is almost always that bit shallower than a hand-engraving, even when using the slightly more precise laser technique over diamond tipped machine engraving. And for many, machine engravings can lack the character and unique “human touch” of hand-engraved pieces. So where time and budget allows, we suggest hand-engraving for a truly unique piece, finished by a master craftsperson here in Ireland.

What Should I Engrave?

Many people know they want to add an engraving to a special piece of jewellery. But when it comes to finalising a choice of engraving, some draw a blank or have so many ideas it can be hard to zero in on one! In our many years of experience, we've seen it all! So here are our tips for choosing what to engrave, and indeed, when.

Keep Engraving Short, Sweet and Simple

What you engrave really depends on what the piece is and how big it is! Depending on the size of the piece of jewellery, space for engraving will most likely be limited. So we advise against an intricate design or an entire song being engraved on the inside of a ring for your sweetheart! It may look great on screen or sketched out on paper. But when scaled down to a size that will work on a ring, it may look cramped or worse, illegible. So we recommend you keep the engraving short, sweet, and simple for maximum impact.

Make Engraving Personal

In our years of experience we’ve seen it all when it comes to engraving! The best engravings are always personal. Here are a few of the recurring requests we've had from our customers over the years to give you some ideas to start from:

1. Engrave an important Date: Whether the day of a wedding, birth, or graduation, an important date is always a popular one for marking life’s important events with a jewellery keepsake. And as an added bonus an engraved date will work as a wearable reminder. So you never forget that important day in future!

2. Engrave a name or initials: Perhaps the most personal engraving, whether it’s a pet name on a piece for your sweetheart, your own and your fiancé’s initials on your wedding bands, or the name of a dearly departed family member for a piece in memoriam. Names are a very common request for engraving as it instantly makes a piece personal.

3. Engrave a Place of Significance: This request is certainly not as common as dates or names but it is just as lovely. We’ve had several couples get in touch asking for engravings of co-ordinates or place names. An important piece of jewellery engraved in remembrance of the spot where a couple first met, got engaged, or married is a lovely and deeply personal choice.

4. Engrave an important question: We’ve seen this idea catch on in the last few years with several nervous folks getting in touch to ask us to engrave “Will you Marry Me?” on a pendant or bracelet for their sweetheart. One of our customers surprised their loved one with this engraved Celtic Warrior Bangle last Christmas, disguised wrapped in a plumbing part box!

We are happy to report that in this and all other instances of an engraved proposal we've been involved in, the answer was a resounding YES! As well as being novel and surprising proposal, the piece of jewellery itself is a lasting keepsake of this momentous occasion. And you can then go ring shopping together. A win win as they say, and a great option to keep in mind for those thinking of popping the question!

5. Engrave your own design: Perhaps it is a doodle that you are known for, a constellation of importance to you, or an ornate monogram of your own and your loved one’s initials. A customer got in touch to engrave this beautiful bracelet with their own monogram design on one side and a complimenting Trinity Knot on the other.

If you have a creative eye, this can be a beautiful idea to make a piece that is truly unique to you. The only thing to keep in mind with this one is choosing a piece of jewellery that has enough space for your design to be given pride of place.

6. Engrave a short sentiment: As we mentioned above, keeping it short and sweet is a good idea. But a short sentiment is a lovely way to make a piece of jewellery your own. Indeed a split message is a popular choice for couples on wedding bands, where the first ring might say “To have” and the second “To hold.”

7. Engrave a combination of ideas: If you can’t decide on one type of engraving, you could always combine ideas e.g. a wedding date and initials. The main restriction here is space. But we are always very happy to help our customers get the engraving they have their heart set on. Just get in touch and we will do our best to make your dream a reality.

8. Engrave a Gaelic phrase or term of Endearment: We think a gaelic phrase is a perfect addition to a piece of Irish jewellery designed and made here in Ireland. We are more than happy to translate short phrases for our friends and customers looking for an Irish engraving. And there's a wealth of gaelic terms of endearment perfect for meaningful engravings. Mo Anam Cara which translates as My Soul Mate is a wonderful addition to any piece of Irish jewellery and works particularly well on this sterling silver pendant.

Irish Words and Phrases for Engraving

Irish Engravings for a Friend

A Chara: Pronounced ‘cara’ it translates as ‘friend’ and is a perfect engraving for a formal or informal greeting to someone that is dear to you

Grá: Pronounced 'graw', Grá is the most common Irish word for love. It can be used to express love between friends, family or a special someone (although there are more romantic or descriptive options for this below).

Irish Engravings for a Child

A Thaisce: Pronounced ‘hash-ka’ it roughly translate as ‘My Treasure’, a perfect choice for an engraving on a piece from a parent to a child or indeed a dear friend.

A Pheata: Pronounced ‘fat-a’ this phrase translates as ‘my darling’ and is used by mothers to express love for their children.

Cion: Pronounced 'key-un'; Another word for love of an affectionate type between close friends, or families, especially parents and children.

Tá mo chroí istigh ionat: A slightly anatomical phrase that translates as My heart is within you. It can be used in romantic sense but is also a phrase that works very well for the love a parent has for a child.

Irish engravings for Her

Spéirbhean: Pronounced ‘spare-van’ it literally translates as sky-woman but means ‘a woman as beautiful as the sky.’ Quite the compliment!

A Stór: Pronounced ‘store’ this is the main term of endearment in the Irish language, which roughly translates as "darling. It can be used for a loved one or even a dear friend or family member. The diminutive version of this term is even better “a stóirín beag" pronounced ‘storeen bee-ug’, my little darling, a really affectionate term for your sweetheart.

Irish Engravings for a Soul Mate

Irish is a poetic language so there are many different ways to say I love you “as Gaeilge!” that are perfect for an engraving on a special piece for a loved one. Have a look at our 7 ways to say I love you piece or we have pulled together a few useful words and phrases below.

A Chroí: Pronounced ‘cree’ this translates as ‘my heart’, and is a romantic phrase for two lovers.

Mo fhíorghra: Pronounced ‘mo heer-graw’ this a very romantic phrase that roughly translates as ‘my true love’ - perfect for a wedding band or anniversary gift.

Mo Rúnsearc: Pronounced ‘roon-hark’ it translates as ‘my secret love’ and is used in Irish in place of a very passionate ‘my darling’ - A perfect choice for a piece that conveys almost overwhelming love.

Searc: True love, eternal love, or primary love. A more passionate version of Grá. You can use this word in the phrase Tá tú mo chéadsearc, you are my true love.

Mo shíorghra: This means ‘my eternal love’, and is sometimes used as a term for ‘soulmates’.

Seanleannán: Said ‘shan-lan-awn’ this word literally means ‘old love’, or ‘old flame’ - one for a romantic couple on an important anniversary or old friends taking the next step in their relationship.

A chéadsearc: Said ‘cade-shark’ this phrase translates as ‘my first love’, or ‘my one and only’ - a perfect engraving for a promise or engagement ring.

Is tú mo rogha: Said ‘Is too muh ra-wa’ this phrase translates as ‘You are my chosen one’ - Another fitting choice for a promise, engagement or wedding ring.

Mo ghrá thú: Said ‘Muh graw hoo’ This literally means ‘my love you’, i.e. ‘you are my love’, it is one of the most common terms of endearment used in Gaelic.

Táim i ngrá leat: Said ‘Tom i ner-aw lat’ This phrase directly translates as ‘I’m in love with you.’ Romantic and fitting for almost any occasion.

Keep Your Engraving a surprise

A few couples have asked us to engrave their own secret messages on their wedding bands instead of writing their inscriptions together. Finding out what the other chose for their engraving makes for a wonderful surprise for them both on their wedding day. The piece and its message can be that bit more special as a result.

Engrave in Ogham or Latin script

If you know what you want to say the final decision on your engraving is whether you would like to say it with latin script or the ancient Irish alphabet, Ogham. Ogham is a lovely choice for an Irish engraving but again space is a consideration here. The Ogham alphabet can take up more space than the latin script. So it works best for engravings that are short and sweet!

When Should I Engrave a Piece of Jewellery?

If you are looking for a piece of jewellery to mark life’s big events, an engraving makes an important piece instantly unique, personal, and memorable. No one will have a piece quite like it and with a quality piece it becomes a future family heirloom. Here are some times where an engraved piece of fine jewellery works particularly well to mark a memorable moment;

• A pendant for a new mother engraved with a date marking the birth of her first child;
• A cross or medal engraved with the date for a young person making their communion or confirmation;
• A handsome cross or ring with a kind word of congratulations for a young person graduating high school or college;
• A secret message between lovers on their wedding bands;
• Or a confirmation of love on an important anniversary gift.

An engraved piece of jewellery is a fantastic way to mark any of life’s big milestones.

Take Your Time

All that aside, don't put yourself under pressure with an engraving! Take your time. This is doubly the case for wedding bands. You and your partner will be wearing your rings for years to come so you want to be sure you get what you want. We advise couples that are not sure what they want to think about engraving their rings at a later date if they can't settle on a design or inscription. Rings needn't be engraved before you walk down the aisle! It could be something you have done for your first anniversary. Personal engravings can always be added at a later date. This gives you more time to think about the message without the myriad of other decisions weighing in!

How Much Does Engraving Cost?

Again that varies with what you are having engraved, and how much work is required. Several of our pieces come with an engraved phrase or motif included in their price. As hand-engraving takes time, we have a $55 charge for any additional engraving to personalise a piece. We do periodically run promotions for free engraving. Sign up for our community newsletter or follow us on Facebook or Instagram to hear about these sorts of offers first.

Ancient Roots - Engraving in Ireland

By having a piece of Irish jewellery engraved, you are continuing a craft that has ancient roots in Ireland. There is a long history of engraving in Ireland, dating back over 5000 years and perhaps even earlier! Our ancient ancestors made decorative markings on stone and metal surfaces, leaving behind enigmatic traces of their culture that we still enjoy today. This entrance stone at Newgrange is a spectacular example over 5000 years old!

And on a trip to the National Museum here in Dublin you will see spectacular Bronze age golden torcs, bracelets, earrings and more incised with geometric shapes, painstakingly engraved by ancient Irish craftspeople thousands of years ago.

And we are proud to continue this tradition of hand engraving by embellishing the beautiful polished surfaces of our precious metal jewellery today!