Your Guide to Engravable Jewelry at Shane Co.

Personalizing your jewelry with an engraving allows you to make a meaningful mark that’s all your own. You can get a sentimental message engraved on a wedding band, a special date engraved on a locket, and so much more with our engravable jewelry at Shane Co.

Learn about the ways to incorporate an engraving into your jewelry below.

History of Jewelry Engravings

Jewelry engraving is an ancient practice, dating back at least to the first centuries BCE. Jewelry featuring carvings has been found in both ancient Egyptian and ancient Roman remnants. As people began embedding gemstones in their jewelry, they also took to engraving religious symbols or images of daily life.

In medieval times, poesy rings grew in popularity. Poesy rings featured a brief poem engraving and were usually exchanged between lovers. Ornately engraved jewelry designs later became popular in the Baroque and Rococo periods, and today engravable jewelry remains common as an intricate way to elevate jewelry.

Why Get Jewelry Engraved?

One of the biggest reasons to get jewelry engraved is so you can wear something that’s not only beautiful but symbolic to your life. Engravable jewelry also makes for a great gift to someone special in your life. There are so many reasons to get your jewelry engraved, including:

• Capturing a quote you love and want to remember whenever you wear your jewelry
• Wearing your own initials or those of a loved one
• Making your jewelry unique with a customized engraving
• Celebrating milestones, like an anniversary or birthday

How Jewelry Is Engraved

There are different ways in which jewelry can be engraved, including by hand, machine, or laser. Depending on the design, it may be created on a computer and then etched by a machine according to the design.

We met with Shane Co. in-house jeweler Lara S. to discuss our engraving process. First, she puts the design into a computer program. This ranges from text to specialty designs based on photos or symbols. She then works with the image to make sure it’s ideal for an engraving. The program allows you to select the metal type and input measurements. Sometimes, at this point, our team will work with the customer to ensure that the design mockup is just what they’re looking for.

From there, she places the jewelry in the vise, AKA the engraving machine that uses a laser to carefully engrave the exact design into the metal. She lines up the jewelry, then sends it through several iterations of engraving and cleaning until it’s perfect. More detailed images, like fingerprints, require more cleanup. After that, the jewelry is ready to wear with its cool new design.

Engravable Jewelry Options

Here at Shane Co., there are many options when it comes to engravable jewelry. Engraved engagement rings and wedding bands are a popular choice, as are engraved gifts. Our engravable gift selection includes necklaces, rings, and bracelets. We even have select cufflinks and stud earrings that can be engraved.

Once you choose which piece you want engraved, you can personalize your text or numerical engraving with different font choices. For images, symbols, or other specific requests, chat with an expert jewelry consultant or visit a store near you.

Engraving Ideas

Do you know you want to get your jewelry engraved, but you’re not sure exactly what you want the message to be? Here are a few of our favorite engraving ideas:

• Initials. Get your own initials engraved to mark the jewelry as yours, creating an instant heirloom that can be passed down for generations. Combine your initials with your sweetheart’s for an ode to your relationship.
• Special dates. This is a classic choice! Get your birthday, first date, wedding day, child’s birthday, or other memorable occasion etched into your jewelry to commemorate your most important moments.
• Fingerprints. Did you know some of our styles allow for fingerprint engravings? This is a cool way to make your piece really unique, as no two fingerprints are the same.
• Birth flowers. Another symbol to get engraved on some of our larger items, like lockets, is a birth flower, whether it’s yours or that of someone you love.

Aside from these engraving options, there are plenty more to consider, including short quotes, coordinates of a special place, loving sentiments, and more. Prices range depending on simplicity. For example, a simple initial is going to cost less than something more unique and detailed, like a photo of a loved one.

How to Care for Your Engraved Jewelry

Professional engravings are carefully carved and made to last as long as you take care of your jewelry. Some metals are prone to wear, though, so there are a few ways to help preserve the beautiful appearance of your engraving. Practice regular cleaning, including taking your jewelry into your jewelry store for routine maintenance.

We also recommend avoiding harsh chemicals and extreme temperatures. If your engraving is on the outside of a piece (unlike a message that may be on the inside of a wedding band, for example), don’t wear it while performing manual labor or other tasks that may compromise your jewelry.

Now that you know what you want engraved on your jewelry and how it works, it’s time to start shopping! Select the item you want and check out the “Customize Options” section to enter the message you want engraved. Chat with an expert or schedule an appointment for specialty engravings or to ask any questions you have. Check out our other personalized jewelry options for more ways to make your jewelry wardrobe one of a kind. Don’t forget to comment and tell us what you got engraved!

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published April 2017 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.