At Paul’s Jewelry, we can utilize three different types of engraving techniques to engrave your jewelry - hand, machine, and laser. With that in mind, we can engrave a wide range of elements onto your piece. Names, initials, dates, personal messages, and even symbols and motifs are all possible.

What’s the difference between machine, laser, and hand engraving?

Machine, laser, and hand engraving are all different techniques of engraving. Each uses their own techniques and set of tools, and each offers a distinct aesthetic.

Machine engraving uses hand-powered tools to carve designs with precision. It’s great for creating clean, uniform lines, making it a great technique for simple text or graphics. If consistency is important, this classic method is reliable and straightforward.

Laser engraving uses high-powered lasers to burn the surface without physical contact, creating precise marks. Laser engraving is great for etches that require intricate details. It’s popularly used for logos or detailed designs. The final aesthetic of this technique is sometimes described as “clean” or “sterile”.

Hand engraving is the oldest out of the three. As the name suggests, it’s a traditional method that makes use of hand tools. It is a dying art that’s incredibly hard to master. With hand engraving, every carve is unique - this adds a texture and an aesthetic that machines and lasers can’t replicate. The result is a truly personal and one-of-a-kind look.

Each method offers its own way to personalize a piece, so the choice depends on the look and feel you’re going for.

Whether you want the precision of machine work, the detail of lasers, or the timeless artistry of hand engraving, we’re here to help make your personalized mark on your special piece.

We can engrave on all kinds of jewelry pieces - from rings to earrings, to pendants and more. Even if you have a commemorative piece that’s not necessarily a piece of jewelry - like a keepsake trinket or a metal accessory, we can engrave on it as well.

The two biggest limitations determining whether or not a piece can be engraved upon are surface area and accessibility, and jewelry metal.

If the piece to be engraved upon has ample space and is accessible, then we can engrave on it. Some popular locations for engravings include the inside shanks of rings, and the backs of pendants.

For the metal, most fine jewelry is made out of rose, white, or yellow gold, silver, or platinum. These pieces generally pose no limitations to engravability. That said, some pieces of jewelry are made out of incredibly hard metals like tungsten, which can only be engraved with the laser technique.

If you have questions regarding your particular engraving needs, bring your piece in to our Milwaukee showroom for a complimentary consultation.

Yes, engraving is permanent. That being said, like with everything, engravings do fade over time with wear. Years down the line, you can refresh your engraving by having it touched up by one of our professionals.