ES

Hand and laser engraving in jewelry

· Updated · 1 min read · Techniques

Illustration: Hand and laser engraving in jewelry

To engrave is to remove metal with a graver to draw lines, letters or motifs. It is one of the finest crafts in jewelry and the basis of seals and monograms.

Steps of the technique: Sharpen the graver, Hold the piece, Trace, Engrave, Remove the burr, Polish
Summary of the steps

With a graver #

The piece is held in an engraver's ball and the graver, pushed with the palm of the hand, cuts a chip of metal. There are flat gravers, point gravers (onglette) and lozenge gravers.

Styles #

  • Bright cut: polished facets that reflect light.
  • Line and shading: drawing with fine strokes.
  • Letters and monograms: in script or block lettering.
  • Florentine: crossed lines that give a satin finish.

Machine and laser #

Pantograph engraving and lasers allow quick, regular lettering, and are common on rings and plates. A laser can engrave the inside of a ring with great precision.

Tips #

Ask to see a sample of the typeface and how many characters fit; on curved surfaces, a machine is safer than hand engraving.

Step by step #

  1. Sharpen the graver. Form the edge and check that it cuts cleanly.
  2. Hold the piece. Secure it in the engraver's ball.
  3. Trace. Draw the design with a scribe.
  4. Engrave. Push the graver in one continuous furrow.
  5. Remove the burr. Take off the raised metal.
  6. Polish. Tidy up with charcoal or fine sandpaper.

Tools and materials #

  • Gravers of various shapes
  • Engraver's ball and holder
  • Loupe or microscope (loupe)
  • Sharpening stone

Common mistakes #

  • Badly sharpened graver: it slips and scratches.
  • Pushing with the arm instead of the palm.
  • Engraving on a loose piece.
  • Cutting too deep: no metal left.

See also #

This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.