{"id":8031,"date":"2018-04-18T10:00:09","date_gmt":"2018-04-18T09:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.cooksongold.com\/blog\/?p=8031"},"modified":"2021-04-15T09:47:56","modified_gmt":"2021-04-15T08:47:56","slug":"jewellery-engraving-how-to-engrave-metal-by-hand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cooksongold.com\/blog\/learn\/jewellery-engraving-how-to-engrave-metal-by-hand\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Engrave Metal By Hand"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Are you interested in learning how to engrave metal by hand? Ideal for precision work and detailed jewellery, hand engraving metal is a great technique used by many jewellers. Whether you\u2019re learning how to engrave silver by hand, or another alloy of choice, our handy guide will give you all the tips and tricks you need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is jewellery engraving?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before learning how to engrave metal by hand, it\u2019s important to understand the basics of the technique and what it does. The term \u201cengraving\u201d can be defined in one of two ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. An engraving is a picture or design that has been cut into a surface.<\/li>
  2. An engraving is a picture that has been printed from a plate on which designs have been cut.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    The history of jewellery engraving<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The history of engraving can be traced as far back as Roman times. Traditionally, it was used to create images on metal plates or wooden blocks which were then used for printing. It was used to decorate metal objects, including jewellery, providing texture, imagery and most commonly, lettering to pieces which would otherwise have been plain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What is hand engraving?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    We\u2019re run through what jewellery engraving is, but more specifically, what about hand engraving? This is typically carried out using shaped steel cutters with a sharpened edge, which are mounted into a wooden handle. The cutters themselves are supplied in extra-long lengths, so that they can be cut down to suit the person using them. The \u2018tang\u2019 (pointed handle end) is not as hard as the jewellery engraving tool itself, and is intended to be snapped off to create the ideal length. This rough end should be ground down and inserted into a wooden handle ready for use during the hand engraving jewellery process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Find out how to engrave by hand below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How to engrave at home using hand engraving tools<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Jewellery engraving designs can be drawn directly onto metal or transferred using a variety of methods. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Here is a quick step-by-step guide on how to engrave metal by hand:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. Take a metal or jewellery engraving blank in the shape of the piece you are designing.<\/li>
    2. Draw or stamp your initial design onto the blank.<\/li>
    3. Start to gently scratch off the design with your hand engraving jewellery tool.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Top tip:<\/strong> If you accidentally mark your metal, simply polish it off by hand or machine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n