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Hand engraving is cut by hand, line by line, with a graver pushed through the metal. It is a craft skill in its own right, distinct from the design and setting of a piece, and it carries the small variations only a human hand leaves. We commission it from specialist hand engravers, and the piece is prepared, checked and finished at our bench.

What can be hand engraved

  • Family crests cut from your armorial, ready for a signet or a seal.
  • Monograms and initials, single letters or interlaced ciphers, in a script of your choosing.
  • Signet and seal engraving, cut in reverse and in intaglio so the seal reads true in wax.
  • Decorative scrollwork and millgrain worked by hand along shoulders, shanks and bezels.
  • Messages and dates inside bands, cut to sit close against the finger.

Why hand engraving

A graver cuts with depth and angle. The bright facets it leaves catch light in a way a machined groove cannot, and the character of the cut belongs to the hand that made it. For crest and seal work, hand engraving holds the fine relief and crisp edges a heraldic device asks for, tailored to your design rather than a stock font.

We are glad to arrange engraving on pieces not bought from us. Bring in an heirloom signet or a piece from elsewhere, and we will assess the metal, the wall thickness and the space available before we quote, so the work is done only where it can be done safely. For fine modern lettering or repeated text, see our laser engraving service, which we carry out in the studio and which holds very small type with machine consistency.

Can you engrave a piece I did not buy from you?

Yes. Heirlooms and pieces bought elsewhere can be hand engraved once we have checked the metal and thickness, in person or from clear photographs.

Do you work from a family crest?

Yes. Send us your armorial or a clear image and the engravers we work with will prepare the engraving, including reversed intaglio for seal use.

For crest, monogram or seal work, book a consultation through our contact page. You can also call +44 20 7206 2705 or message us on WhatsApp. The studio is at Unit 1.02, The Goldsmiths' Centre, 42 Britton Street, London EC1M 5AD, by appointment.

Two yellow gold bands leaning together on a glossy cream surface printed with brown script, reflected below

Dates and messages

Much of the hand engraving we arrange is date engraving. A birthday, an anniversary, or any date that matters can be cut into your chosen piece, where it stays for good.

Personal messages are engraved too. A few words inside a band can make a gift feel more considered and more personal.

If you have a design in mind, we can work with you on it as a bespoke piece.

Two yellow gold bands on the open page of a printed book, one set with two tiny clear stones

Wedding and engagement rings

Wedding and engagement rings are some of the pieces engraved most often. They are kept for a lifetime, so the detail matters. Initials, a date, or a private message inside the band is a quiet way to mark what the ring stands for.

Hand engraving is careful, close work, and that care shows in the finished piece. Engraving can mark an occasion or simply add something of your own.

Visit the studio

Book a private appointment at our Hatton Garden studio, or begin by phone or WhatsApp.

Book a consultationWhatsAppCall +44 20 7206 2705

We typically reply within four working hours.

Common questions

What is hand engraving?

Hand engraving is the traditional technique of cutting directly into metal with hardened steel gravers. Each stroke is guided by the engraver's eye and hand, producing a distinctive shimmering line. It is the traditional technique for heirloom pieces and signet seals.

How much does hand engraving cost?

Hand engraving at Hatton Garden Bespoke Jewellery starts from £85. Heraldic seals, full monograms in period script, and decorative wriggle-work borders are priced individually based on design complexity and the metal being engraved.

How long does hand engraving take?

Hand engraving typically takes five to ten working days depending on complexity and engraver availability. Detailed seal engraving or crest work can take longer. A pencil transfer is laid on the piece for sign-off before any cut is made.

What can you hand engrave?

The specialist engravers we work with cut signet rings, family crests, heraldic devices, classical monograms, decorative borders and pictorial motifs. Common applications include signet rings, cufflinks, wedding bands (exterior ornament), eternity rings, pendants and locket faces. Inherited pieces with worn engraving can also be re-cut.

Can I combine hand and laser engraving on one piece?

Yes, and it is a popular combination. A hand-engraved decorative motif on the outside of a ring combined with a laser-engraved inscription on the inside gives you both the tactile character of hand work and the consistency of laser lettering.

Can you restore worn engraving on an inherited piece?

Yes. The specialist engravers we work with specialise in heirloom restoration, re-cutting monograms, seals or decorative borders that have faded over decades of wear. Bring the piece to a consultation and we will assess condition and quote for restoration.