A buyer in Lyon ordered a run of ten engagement rings with inside-band dates. Half went out laser-engraved, half hand-engraved, as a test. The hand-engraved pieces sold out first, and three clients specifically said the engraving felt like the reason the ring was special. The buyer came back and asked us to default to hand engraving on pieces above a certain price. Hand and machine engraving are not the same product, and the choice changes the price, the turnaround and the client's perception of the whole ring.
If you are deciding what else can be personalised, our men's band fit notes covers the wide-band surfaces that take engraving best. Below is the hand-versus-machine breakdown.
Machine engraving: the fast, clean default
Laser and pantograph machine engraving cuts a uniform line to a fixed depth, usually around 0.05 mm, in minutes. It is legible on tiny text, it costs very little, and it is consistent across a batch of ten identical rings. The trade-off is character: a machine line is perfectly straight and perfectly even, which reads as industrial up close. Machine engraving suits dates, initials and short messages on price-led pieces where the buyer wants clean text without the upcharge. We hold the text depth inside the band wall so it does not weaken the shank, the same wall-clearance logic we describe in our 14k gold build notes.
Hand engraving: the character play
A hand engraver cuts each line with a burin by eye, varying the depth and the angle slightly by hand. That variation is what makes the lettering look alive under a loupe. Hand engraving runs about ten to fifteen minutes per ring on script lettering, costs more per piece, and cannot be perfectly replicated across a batch, which is exactly the point. It sells on heirloom and proposal pieces where the inside-band message is part of the story. The depth a hand engraver reaches is controlled by the wall thickness; we only hand-engrave bands thick enough, and we say so on the order sheet.
Depth, wear and the wall underneath
Too deep an engraving cuts into the band wall and weakens the ring; too shallow and the lettering wears smooth within a few years. We target a hand-engraved depth of about 0.12 mm on a 1.5 mm thick band, and a laser depth of about 0.05 mm. On thinner bands we step the depth down so the wall stays intact. The karat of the metal matters here too: softer 18k takes deeper engraving cleanly, while harder 14k needs a lighter hand to avoid chatter. The alloy context is set out on Wikipedia's karat reference.
Cost, turnaround and what clients notice
Machine engraving adds minutes and a small charge; hand engraving adds a day and a higher per-piece cost. The buyers who win are the ones who offer both: machine as the included default, hand as the upcharge upgrade. Clients rarely notice the difference until they are shown, but once they see the hand script next to the laser text, the upgrade converts. For the ring that carries the engraving, the overall metal and finish pairing is detailed in our 14k gold custom ring guide.
Does laser engraving fade over time?
The cut itself does not fade, but the polished band around it wears smooth over years, which softens the contrast. A re-polish usually needs a re-engrave, so we set expectations at sale.
Can hand engraving be done on any ring?
Only on bands thick enough to take a controlled cut. Very thin or patterned walls go to machine engraving, and we flag this on the spec sheet.
Which method costs more?
Hand engraving, by a factor of several times per piece, because it is labour time at the bench. It is worth it on the price-led upgrade, not on every ring.
Can a machine-engraved ring be hand-engraved later?
Yes, over or beside the existing text, as long as the wall depth allows. We assess the band before quoting.
What text fits on an inside band
Machine engraving fits about twenty characters on a 6 mm inside band, names and a date included. Hand script reads best at shorter lengths, around ten characters, because each cut needs room to breathe. Long messages go on the outside of a wide band rather than cramped inside. We set the character limit on the order sheet so the buyer does not promise a message that will not fit. The wall thickness we engrave follows the same 14k hardness logic in our alloy build notes, and we step the cut shallower on thinner bands.
Send us the text, the band thickness and the price tier. We return the recommended engraving method, depth and turnaround on the spec sheet before production. Ask us to engrave your next custom moissanite order the right way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is moissanite a good diamond alternative for retail buyers?
Yes for price-sensitive customers who want brilliance and hardness. Moissanite ranks 9.25 on the Mohs scale, holds up to daily wear and costs a fraction of a natural diamond of the same size, so it resells fast in bridal and fashion lines.
What is the minimum order for wholesale moissanite?
MOQ starts at 50 pieces per design for stock items. Custom cuts and private-label settings usually start at 100–300 pieces depending on the mold.
Do you provide certificates with moissanite stones?
Yes. Every parcel ships with GRA or IGI documentation listing carat weight, color grade and cut. We recommend passing the certificate to your end customer for trust.
How long does sample and bulk production take?
Samples ship in 3–5 days. Bulk runs take 15–20 days under 500 pieces, and 25–30 days for custom work.
