Jewelry Engraving Cost
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Jewelry Engraving Cost

Last Updated on December 27, 2023
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by Certified CFA CFA Alexander Popinker

Personalized jewelry is unique. It carries messages and meanings that last over time. You too can have such a jewel or you can give it to a dear one. Having an accessory engraved is one way to make it unique. What are the chances of meeting another person with the same engraving on their jewelry?

How Much Does Jewelry Engraving Cost?

The cost of jewelry engraving will be affected by factors such as the professional/jeweler doing the job, the type of design that you will engrave on the ring, how complex is this design, and the type of engraving. Depending on these factors, the cost of jewelry engraving would be anywhere between $15 and $420.

For instance, if you were to use a machine, engraving a simple wedding band would cost you anywhere between $30 and $120. But if you would want to have the jewelry engraved by hand, the costs would be double or even triple this sum. For example, at Tiffany & Co you will have to pay around $70 for a pair of cufflinks or $40 for three letters. However, machine engraving will be $40 for a pair of cufflinks and $20 for three letters.

The prices charged by higher-end jewelry engraving services start at around $30 and go up to $120. For example, you will have to pay around $30 for six characters, plus another $8 for each additional character.

Also, most of the jewelry engraving companies will charge you a minimum flat rate before starting to work with you, which is around $15.

People who have gotten married posted on various forums that they had to pay anywhere between $25 and more than $170 to engrave their wedding rings.

In the table below are presented the average prices charged for jewelry engraving.

Item Average Price
Setup Fee $7 to $14
Graphics $0.75 to $2 per square inch
Additional lines of text $7 to $15
First line of text, about 30 characters $7 to $15
Custom designs $70 to $140 per hour

Jewelry engraving overview

Engraved Wedding RingsFor over 60,000 years, engraving has been used to make things more personal. Whether it’s your private collection of ostrich eggs or a signet ring, a custom engraving will make it unique. And like most things these days, you can get an engraving done in the record time of 35 seconds per ring with a laser.

Jewelry engraving can be done using different techniques, as we are going to present in the following lines.

Handmade engraving is a true art form. As this work is done by a skilled artist, the result will not be as accurate or uniform as in the case of laser engraving. The beauty of hand engraving comes from its old-fashioned charm and uniqueness. But all this charm comes at a cost…both in time and money.

Mechanical engraving uses a rotating tool controlled by a computer and results in precise engraving. It is commonly used on metals including gold, silver, steel, and copper. The main disadvantage of this technique is that it cannot be used on heat-sensitive materials. The friction created in this process heats up and can damage delicate jewelry containing stones, glass, or fragile gemstones.

Laser engraving uses a laser, of course. A highly focused laser beam creates heat during the engraving process and vaporizes the material it touches – leaving behind your personalized message. It is extremely fast and offers a larger selection of fonts, symbols, and styles. This technique can be used on metal, stone, leather, and wood and provides maximum precision and legibility. To create deeper trenches, the process can be repeated.

What are the additional expenses?

The majority of the jewelry engraving companies are charging for a specific amount of characters, and in case you need more than this amount, each additional character will come at an extra cost.

Also, professionals may charge a setup fee that would be anywhere between $10 and $15.

You might also like our articles on the cost of wedding rings, diamond mounting, or ring soldering.

In general, designs and stock logos are included in the quote, but in case you want something customized and unique, the cost will be higher.

In case you want your jewelry to be engraved within 48 hours, you will have to pay an extra fee.

If you engrave a piece of jewelry that you wear often, like a wedding ring, most probably you will have to redo and retouch it in the future. Be prepared to pay the same as for the first engraving.

Important things to consider

The durability of an engraving depends on the material the item is made of. Some soft metals (such as gold and silver) scratch easily and the engraving will wear off easily over time. Etchings on harder metals like tungsten, stainless steel, and titanium will last a lifetime.

How can I save money?

Make sure you look for multiple jewelry engraving service quotes and compare prices if you want to save some money. You may be surprised, but not all the professionals charge the same and you want the one that is the most affordable.

FAQs

How much does it cost to engrave a bracelet, ring, or watch?

The cost of engraving depends on the length of the message and the type of engraving used – manual or automatic.

What should I engrave on a bracelet? How about on a ring?

The rule of thumb with all engraving is to keep the message short, crisp, and to the point. Many engraving services have a character limit that forces you to focus your thoughts and message. When engraving a bracelet or ring, consider the surface space available and the location of the engraving.

Is laser marking and engraving the same thing?

When it comes to jewelry, it can be laser marked. In this process, the heat from the laser melts the surface of the material. During laser engraving, the material vaporizes and creates a cavity. Laser markings are not as durable as engravings because they are not as deep and are more suitable for surfaces that show a low level of wear and tear (definitely not your rings).

What is the best font for engraving?

If you can choose a font, choose one that is clear and easy to read. The last thing you want is to order a pair of engraved cufflinks and not be able to read the message.

Alec Pow
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