About Hand Engraving - Personalised Silver

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About Hand Engraving - Personalised Silver

What is Hand Engraving ?

Discover the beauty of traditional hand engraving. From ancient techniques to bespoke modern creations, this page shares how we craft each piece of jewellery with skill and care.

Hand Engraving is a traditional, time-honoured art form. Hand Engraving has been created this way, long before machines. With precision and craftsmanship, hand engraving transforms metal surfaces into stunning pieces of timeless creations. Each cut of the engraver's tool tells a story of dedication and skill, creating intricate designs that captivate the eye. In a world of manufactured mass produced items, hand engraving showcases the engravers skill and dedication to the craft.

Hand engraving a Celtic dragon design onto a sterling silver bookmark

Today, skilled hand engravers are becoming scarce as machines are increasingly being used, which lack the quality and durability that Hand Engraving requires and machines demand less expertise in the jewellery industry.

Hand engraving elevates beautiful jewellery, silverware, and heirloom pieces, with a unique touch of personalisation and luxury. This process combines skill, technique and creativity to transform metal into a true work of art.

About Peter Mills - Our Hand Engraver

At Personalised Silver, each step of our hand engraving is meticulously created by hand, from the design and sketching, to the precise and deep carving of the silver using handheld graver tools.

Peter's extensive experience of over 39 years includes hand engraving for silversmiths, jewellers, royalty, and creating hand engraved family crest cufflinks and Family Coat of Arms Silverware for prestigious businessmen and members of parliament.

Close-up of hand engraved lion family crest on sterling silver oval signet ring

Hand Engraving requires a great deal of skill, patience and attention to detail, it gives the article a very artistic and unique look.

Hand engraving a carved 12mm flower design on sterling silver cuff bracelet

The Hand Engraving Process

Peter will prepare the object for engraving by dulling it down, allowing him to mark the lettering or picture accurately. This process ensures proper positioning of the engraving, enabling adjustments if needed before starting engraving.

Once satisfied with the positioning and appearance, he will scribe it with a tool that lightly scratches the surface, preparing it for the actual engraving.

Hand engraved bird crest on sterling silver round pendant

After completing this, engraving can be created on the item using hand held gravers. This process involves deeply cutting into the silver using the sharp gravers, following the etched lines created with the scriber. Different types of gravers may be used based on the design specifications.

Once an item has been engraved it requires polishing which is done on a polishing machine which has polishing mops spinning fast to which you add polishing grease and hold the item on lightly which will eliminate all of the scratches and finish the item off with a lovely highly polished finish.

sterling silver necklace with hand engraved bird crest

The item is thoroughly cleaned using an ultrasonic method with ultrasonic rays and a cleaning liquid in water. It is then gently wiped with a soft selvet cloth.

Who can become a Hand Engraver ?

To become a hand engraver, you would typically start as an apprentice, which may require 3-5 years to gain proficiency in the craft, starting with basic lines and lettering and with experience moving onto more elaborate designs, intricate patterns, family crests and reverse seal engraving. Patience, an artistic nature, and dedication to intricate work are essential.

Tools of the Trade

hand engravers work bench at Personalised Silver

Optivisors

Worn to enhance precision, these magnify the item being engraved, enabling the engraver to achieve intricate detailed work.

Ball Vise

This is an essential tool in hand engraving, where the item being engraved is securely clamped in the ball vise. The vise allows for swivelling and turning in all directions, enabling the engraver to maintain a smooth flow around corners and circular lines.

Gravers

A graver is a traditional tool that a hand engraver uses. Gravers are small chisel-like tools. These gravers have a very sharp point and a handle, and are pushed by hand to cut the metal. There are various types of gravers based on the item or design being cut.

Line gravers

These can be bent or straight and have a surface of equally spaced parallel lines on the graver, bent gravers can be used for difficult to reach places, e.g. cups, dishes, inside rings.

Flat gravers

These have the shape like a flat chisel like tool, this is the most used and common shaped graver for a hand engraver, it is most commonly used for bright cuts, background removal, texturing, script lettering, flare cutting and borders.

Knife gravers

These resemble the blade of a knife, which taper to a sharp tip. These are used for fine lines and deep narrow cuts.

Onglette gravers

These have a cutting face that comes to a sharp point with slightly curved sides. These are commonly used for scroll designs, lines, various lettering, borders and stone setting.

Bevel gravers

These have a v shape angle cutting edge and are usually used for block lettering, deep cutting and bright cuts.

Round gravers

A tapered point with straight sides and rounded tip, this is the easiest graver shape to control, often used for background removal, stone setting, block style lettering and line engraving with smooth curves or edges.

There are also a handful of other gravers used for specific purposes like engraving on the inside of rings, dishes, bowls and hard to reach places.

Note: We cut the silver with hand-held gravers — not a dremel. Gravers create a lovely deep, clean, carved finish. A dremel grinds the surface, it doesn’t cut, and won’t give the same finish as traditional hand engraving.

Here is our workshop at Personalised Silver, click here to see more photos.

What can be hand engraved ?

Jewellery

Signet rings with hand engraved initials, a family crest or reverse seal engraving.

Wedding rings with hand engraved patterns on the outside and personalised messages on the inside.

Cuff Bracelets with beautiful hand engraved designs on the outside and a message on the inside.

Silverware items, egg cups, napkin rings, christening gifts.

In addition to items on our site, we accept commissions. If you would like a hand engraved item, please contact us here.

Preserving the Tradition of Hand Engraving

As we navigate through modern life, the preservation of traditional crafts like hand engraving becomes increasingly vital. The shift towards mass production and automation poses a challenge to artisanal practices, threatening the rich history and skills associated with hand engraving.

We have always aimed to highlight the significance of hand engraving in art and design. By educating customers through our photos and engraving videos on the value and craftsmanship of hand engraved items, we offer you a unique buying experience. Our dedication to preserving the art of hand engraving supports creative artists and honours the timeless skill and creativity behind this craft.

hand engraved gold pendant with tiger crest

Frequently Asked Questions

What is hand engraving?

Hand engraving is a traditional technique where skilled artists carve into metal using handheld tools called gravers. It produces deep, precise, and lasting designs.

How is hand engraving different from machine engraving?

Unlike machine engraving, hand engraving is done manually by hand and allows for a much deeper, more personal and unique finish.

Who is Peter Mills?

Peter is our hand engraver with over 39 years of experience, known for engraving for silversmiths, jewellers, and even royalty.

What tools are used in hand engraving?

We use traditional tools like gravers, ball vises, and optivisors to carve every piece by hand with care and precision.

What can be hand engraved?

Rings, cuff bracelets, necklaces, pendants, silverware, and bespoke commissions. We personalise each item with names, messages, patterns or family crests.

Can anyone learn to be a hand engraver?

Yes — but it takes patience, creativity, and usually several years of an apprenticeship to learn the skill properly.