So you’ve decided to have your or your (future) spouse’s ring engraved, but you’re not sure where to start. Regardless of whether it is an engagement or a wedding ring, or one that you just want to give as a gift, here are the most important questions you need to have answered before you go ahead with the engraving.
1. What Is the Ring’s Width?
If the ring you want engraved is too thin, there wouldn’t be much space to put all the text you want.
The general guideline is that if the ring is less than 3mm in width, most jewelers won’t be able to engrave on such a small space. Even if you find someone willing to help you, be advised that the result might look less than satisfactory.
Engraved gold wedding rings
So, what’s the ideal width for engraving?
In general, if your ring is wider than 3mm, you should be fine, and a width of 5-7mm seems to offer the best opportunity for a good inscription.
Take a good look at the ring to see how much space you have available, and don’t forget to get the jeweler’s opinion of what can be engraved on it.
2. Does the Ring Fit Well?
You should not ask to have a ring engraved before you are certain that it fits well on the finger of the person who will be wearing it.
If after a ring is engraved, it turns out to be too big or too small, it will need to be resized. In such a case, the engraving would be ruined and would have to be removed in the process of resizing.
You can have the ring engraved again afterwards, but you will pay twice for the same inscription, and the deletion of the first engraving will remove metal from your ring, weakening its structure.
Related: See how you can design your own diamond ring here.
3. What Engraving Method Will Be Used?
The particular engraving technique may seem like a technical matter that should concern only your jeweler, but that’s only partially true.
The engraving machine used will determine what symbols can be engraved as well as the precision the jeweler can achieve.
If your jeweler uses laser, for example, you will have a greater choice of fonts and symbols than if you go with someone using a less precise machine.
Click here to take a look at the newest and most popular ring designs.
4. What Symbols Do You Want Engraved?
It is important to be realistic regarding what you can have engraved.
For example, you may have in mind some fancy symbols that you want to see on the ring, but the jeweler may not have the technical capability to engrave them.
So, if you want something other than simple text, be sure to ask you jeweler whether this is achievable.
Some more intricate symbols can only be engraved using a laser engraving machine, so if the jeweler uses more traditional equipment, you will have to either revise your expectations or pick another engraver.
5. How Long Is the Text?
If you want to have a long sentence engraved, you might have to reconsider as most jewelers will be able to put no more than a few words onto the small surface they have to work with.
Indeed, some engravers using a more up-to-date technology may be able to write longer sentences, but if you have too many words, the small inscription will be hard to read anyway.
So, find a balance and make sure your message is crisp and includes the most important things you want to say.
6. What Font Should You Choose?
The font is another feature of your engraving that will be heavily influenced by the technical capabilities of the jeweler.
Many jewelers won’t be able to engrave anything beyond a simple, clean font, so if you have something really fancy in mind, such as a gothic script, you may not be able to get it.
However, keep in mind that even if your jeweler could do a really intricate font, chances are that because of the small size of the inscription, it would be hard to read anyway.
So, when it comes to engravings, it’s best to stick to fonts that are simple and readable.
Where to Buy a Ring?
For diamond, emerald, ruby, or sapphire rings, we recommend James Allen (read review) because you can take a 360-degree look at any stone before having it set in a ring.
Blue Nile is another reputable diamond retailer we recommend.
Also take a look at the vast selection of rings at Amazon and at GemsNY.
