What can be engraved today?

Practically anything that can be translated into a high-contrast line drawing. Initials and dates are standard. Sentences and mottoes in any typeface are possible. Photographed handwriting is scanned and transferred one-to-one into metal. Photographs can be rendered as a greyscale halftone engraving. Fingerprints are a special form in their own right - see Fingerprint Jewellery.

How is handwriting transferred?

The source (a letter, postcard or diary entry) is scanned at high resolution. In the workshop's software the writing is separated from the background, optimised for line weight (typical specification: 0.2 to 0.4 mm) and scaled to the piece of jewellery. The laser then engraves the writing in gold, silver or platinum. The transfer preserves the person's individual hand - pressure, sweep, small irregularities.

Is laser engraving permanent?

Very durable. The lines are recessed into the metal and effectively do not wear, as long as the material itself is not heavily abraded. Inner engravings in rings may show slight signs of wear after 30 to 50 years of intensive wear, but the writing remains legible. Outer engravings on pendants and brooches are practically ageless.

What does personalisation cost?

Standard engravings (initials, a date, a short line) are included in the purchase price of many memorial pieces, or cost an additional €20 to €80. More elaborate personalisations (handwriting transfer, halftone photographic engraving, multi-part inscriptions) run to €80 to €250. Hand-cut burin work on premium pieces is considerably more expensive (€200 to €500).

Personalisation Through Engraving (Handwriting, Initials, Dates)

Modern laser engraving ties a piece of jewellery precisely to one particular person - through initials, dates of death, photographed handwriting or fingerprint ridges - and is today the most common personalisation technique in memorial jewellery.

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