# Guilloché: geometric engine turning

> Guilloché is a mechanical engraving of interlaced geometric lines made with a rose engine; used in watches, boxes and Fabergé eggs, and as a base for enamel.

- Source: https://www.711grados.com/en/guilloche-engine-turning/
- Language: en
- Note: This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.
- Published: 2026-08-17
- Updated: 2026-08-21
- Translation (es): https://www.711grados.com/es/guilloche/
- Author: Sandra Sánchez
- Site: 711 Grados (https://www.711grados.com/)

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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)](https://www.711grados.com/media/diagrams/guilloche-steps.en.svg "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

- [Hand and laser engraving in jewelry](https://www.711grados.com/en/engraving-in-jewelry/)
- [Enameling: techniques and process](https://www.711grados.com/en/enameling-techniques/)
- [Texturing metal surfaces in jewelry](https://www.711grados.com/en/texturing-metal-surfaces/)