Diamond Fun Fact
Conflict diamonds as a percentage of all rough diamonds traded have been reduced from approximately 4% to considerably less than 1% since the implementation of the Kimberley Process in 2003
Having your diamond ring engraved is a great way of giving it extra sentimental
meaning. A meaningful word or phrase engraved into a ring will make it even more
valued by the receiver. Many people have their diamond rings engraved even years
after getting married.
Engraving Techniques
Hand Engraving
Hand engraving is done using a tool called a graver. The gravers are hand-held and
are used to ‘carve’ into the metal to create the engraving. Hand engravings require
skill and talent in order to be done properly, however a proficient jeweler will
be able to engrave intricate fonts and designs.
Hand engraving can also be made deeper than machine engraving - making it last longer
Machine Engraving
There are many different machines out there for engraving diamond rings. Machines
can use templates or be computer-aided with laser-guided precision. New engraving
machines are so precise that 2 lines can easily be written on the inside of a diamond
ring.
Machine engraving is cheaper than hand engraving, but it may not last as long and
of course lacks the artistic pan of a hand engraving.
Engrave Before Resizing
If you need to have your diamond ring re-sized, you should make sure to do it before
having it engraved. The process of re-sizing a ring may damage the engraving and
you might need to have your ring re-engraved.
If you already have an engraved ring and would like to re-size it, a good jeweler
will be able to match the font that is used and re-engrave it with good accuracy
- possibly at some extra cost or even free of charge. Make sure to ask beforehand
if the engraving might be damaged and if it can be re-constructed in case it does.
Engraving Tips
Before making your engraving be sure to find out if your jeweler has experience
with your ring’s specific metal and ask to see some of his work which is relevant
to your ring type. Make sure that your jeweler understands which font and spacing
you’re looking for.
Some jewelers send the rings out to be engraved. If that’s the case make sure that
the ring is insured during shipping.