While we are most well known for the quality of our die struck jewelry, what many people do not know is that this quality is what makes our hand engravings so unique. Here are some interesting facts that will help you see why our hand engraving is a truly a work of art!What is die struck jewelry and how does this affect my engraved ring? Die struck jewelry is a unique form of jewelry making that many of today's mass produced and marketed jewelry designers no longer use. Instead of pouring molten gold into low pressure molds our precious metals (14KT, 18KT, and Platinum) are die struck. This is accomplished through lengthy series of steps. First, we careful alloy our metals using formulas that have been mastered in our nearly 100 years of business. Then, the metal is heated and rolled into sheets. After the annealing process the metal is placed in vintage die striking machines where our craftsmen have attached precise tools and dies. The metal sheets are repeatedly struck with immense force and slowly the metal begins to take on the desired shape.The result of the die striking process is a substantially denser piece of jewelry which withstand the test of time. We often refer to it as 'heirloom quality,' because the superior strength means the jewelry will withstand the test of time and be enjoyed for generations to come.For engraving, the superior density also provides our hand engraver with a perfect medium for his carvings. The lines are crisp and, most important, their designs will not be easily worn away over time. Likewise, because the craft is passed down from one Jabel artisan to another, decades later a ring may be fully restored with the same artistry and skill as the original engraving.This is why we say Jabel makes heirloom quality jewelry. From authentic vintage engagement rings to vintage inspired rings we have have been producing heirloom quality jewelry since 1916.How does your craftsman apply the engravings?I love this question! His engravings are the culmination of skill, a sense of artistry, and impeccable hand-eye coordination. There are no templates or stencils used. He has mastered the wheat, scroll and millgrain, and a rose and leaf engravings. He understands how to modify the scale to match the piece of jewelry upon pure instinct. What's more, if there are any flaws in the engraving the entire ring must be remade, the alloying starts all over again!The ring begins in our alloying where precious metals are carefully combined to create clean gold of specif karats. Next the new alloy is carefully heated and rolled to a precise thickness so it is malleable. Next it the metal goes through an extensive series of strikes using various hubs and dies. Once all the necessary pieces are complete, the style is hand assembled by master jewelers. After assembly our skilled engraver steps in to engrave the desired pattern using only a scriber to layout the pattern, a wood handled gravers to cut into the metal and burnishers which will remove burrs that are formed during the carving process. The only other tool our engraver uses is called a 'block' which is just that a block mounted with pins that can swivel and maneuver wherever is needed to hold the jewelry secure while ensuring a stable grip for accuracy.What are some examples of hand engraving?We use hand engraving on several pieces. From designs that solely rely on engraving to hybrid designs that are partially engraved to bring out the details. Here are examples of both engravings.
Fully Engraved Jewelry
These designs rely on only hand engraving to create the design. The most popular design is our 'wheat' pattern used on the following examples:
Jewelry With Hand Engraved Details
These styles are made by die striking pink and green gold decorative elements, assembling them, and using additional hand engravings to bring out the details.
Email us to find a local Jabel jeweler at info@jabel.com