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Guilloché: geometric engine turning

· 1 min read · Techniques

Illustration: Guilloché: geometric engine turning

Guilloché (engine turning) engraves regular geometric patterns of interlaced lines by machine, producing reflections in the light. It is common as a base for translucent enamel.

Steps of the technique: Hold the piece, Choose the cam, Engrave, Rotate, Clean, Enamel (optional)
Summary of the steps

How it is done #

A machine (rose engine or guilloché machine) moves the piece according to a cam while a graver cuts fine lines. By changing the cams, patterns such as waves, ripples or sunbursts are produced.

Guilloché enamel #

Translucent enamel is fired over a guilloché ground, letting the pattern show beneath the color.

Uses #

Watch cases, boxes, jewelry, Fabergé eggs and luxury pieces.

Today #

Hand-made guilloché is still done on antique machines, but patterns are also reproduced by laser or CNC.

Step by step #

  1. Hold the piece. Secure the metal in the machine.
  2. Choose the cam. Select the mechanical pattern.
  3. Engrave. The point traces repeated lines.
  4. Rotate. Change the angle to build the design.
  5. Clean. Remove the burr.
  6. Enamel (optional). Cover with translucent enamel.

Tools and materials #

  • Guilloché lathe or rose engine
  • Engraving points
  • Polished metal (silver or gold)
  • Translucent enamel

Common mistakes #

  • Poorly polished metal: it ruins the pattern.
  • Uneven pressure: lines of different thickness.
  • Dull point.
  • Enamel too thick.

See also #

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