Engraving turns a piece into a specific one. Most people choose one of four things: initials, a name, a short date, or a few words. Here is how to decide, and what to keep in mind before you order.
Four common choices
| What to engrave | Suits | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Initials | Rings, charms, small pendants, narrow bands | The shortest option, and the easiest to read on a small surface. |
| A name | Bars, discs, wider bands, the back of a pendant | Longer names need more room, so the letters end up smaller. |
| A date | Bands, the reverse of a pendant or charm | Digits and separators add up quickly. Decide the format before you type it. |
| A few words | Larger flat surfaces | Short lines hold their shape better than a full sentence. |
Legibility at small sizes
Jewelry engraving is read at arm's length or closer, on a surface that is often curved. A few things help:
- Fewer characters means larger characters. Cutting one word is usually worth more than changing the font.
- Block lettering stays clear when it is small. Fine script reads well at a glance but asks more of the eye.
- Curved and narrow surfaces hold less than flat, wide ones, even on pieces of a similar size.
- Write out your text and look at it as one line. Long strings of digits and punctuation crowd faster than letters do.
Something that still means something later
Engraving is permanent, so choose text you would still want on the piece years from now. Names, initials and dates tend to hold up. A phrase in your own words usually wears better than one borrowed from a moment. If a piece is a gift, think about how the wearer would describe it to someone else.
Engraving options depend on the piece, and not every style is engravable. Check the product page for the item you want before you finalize your text.
Before you order
- Proofread the spelling, capitalization and spacing exactly as you want them cut.
- Confirm the date format you intend.
- Review the text once more before adding the item to your cart.
Browse engravable styles and initial jewelry. For returns on a personalized piece, see the refund policy, where the details are set out. Questions can go to customer service or our contact page.