An engagement buyer in Dublin told us their customer would pay an extra $80 if the inside band carried the coordinates of the proposal. That single request is inside-band customization in a nutshell: a low-cost add-on that raises average order value and raises perceived personalization. Our workshop laser-engraves roughly 60% of the custom rings we ship, and the constraints on what can be engraved are more specific than most buyers realize. This article lays out the character counts, font sizes, depth limits and legal labeling rules that govern a clean engraving job.
What can be engraved
Laser engraving on the inside of a gold or platinum ring works up to about 22 characters per line on a standard 2 mm comfort-fit band, and up to 30 characters on a 4 mm band. Sterling silver takes the laser mark slightly less sharply than gold because it is softer, but it is perfectly legible at the recommended font size of 0.8 mm minimum. Hand engraving, by contrast, is reserved for outside-band flourishes and script monograms; it cannot be fit inside a standard comfort shank. The comfort-fit interior itself is shaped during the casting and setting stage we describe in the seven-step ring workflow, and the curve of that interior dictates how flat the engraving surface can be.
Character counts buyers can promise
On a 2 mm band, plan for 18 to 22 characters including spaces. On a 3 mm band, 26 to 30. On a 4 mm band, 34 to 38. Two-line engraving doubles the budget, but the second line drops below 0.7 mm height and starts to feel cramped. We recommend one line for dates and initials, two lines only for short phrases.
Depth, legibility and longevity
A laser engraving runs 0.02 to 0.05 mm deep, which is enough to read but shallow enough that it wears smooth after 15 to 20 years of daily wear. If a client wants an engraving that will outlast the ring, we set a shallow hand-cut channel on the outside of the band, not inside. Rhodium plating covers the engraving if it is done before plating; we engrave after plating so the mark stays bright.
Legal labeling and the FTC line
Inside-band engraving is also where the metal stamp goes. In the United States, 16 CFR Part 23 requires a karat mark on gold jewelry above a de minimis size, plus a maker's mark, and it prohibits misstating the metal content. A ring stamped 14K must actually be 14K. We stamp the purity mark opposite the engraving line so the two never collide. Moissanite itself is not a diamond, and the FTC Jewelry Guides require that moissanite be sold under its own name, not described as diamond.
What buyers commonly engrave
The top four engraving requests are: a date (the proposal or wedding date), a set of initials, geographic coordinates, and a short phrase. Phrases longer than 20 characters usually need a wider band. We also offer a hidden engraving under the head for an additional setup fee; this is a trend that has grown since 2023 but adds one day to production.
How engraving interacts with the rest of the build
Engraving is the last step before QC, after rhodium plating and after stone setting. It is also the step where most re-orders happen, because a misspelled name costs nothing to fix before shipment and everything to fix after. We email an engraving proof within 24 hours of order intake and require written confirmation before the laser fires. This is also why we ask for the exact character string, not a description: "Jane + 14.09.26" is safe; "the date we met" is not. We also advise against using curly apostrophes or decorative ligatures in the engraving string, because at 0.8 mm character height those glyphs blur into unreadable smudges; plain ASCII letters always read cleanest on the finished band.
How much does inside-band engraving cost?
Laser engraving is a $15 to $35 add-on depending on character count and whether it is on one or two lines. Hidden engraving under the head is $45 to $65 because the piece has to be fixtured at an angle.
What is the smallest readable font size?
0.8 mm minimum on a 2 mm band. Below that the characters blur even under magnification. We default to 1.0 mm for anything with lower-case letters.
Can you engrave on titanium or tungsten?
We do not produce custom moissanite rings in titanium or tungsten; our metal range is sterling silver, 10K/14K/18K gold and 950 platinum, all of which laser-engrave cleanly.
Will the engraving wear off?
Laser marks wear smooth over 15 to 20 years of daily wear. Recutting the engraving at a later refinish is a 20-minute bench job.
Does engraving affect the ring size?
No. Engraving removes a fraction of a gram of metal inside the shank and does not move the finger size by a measurable amount. Resizing after engraving requires re-engraving.
Send us the exact character string, the band width and a preferred font. We will return a proof within 24 hours and ship the finished ring with the rest of your custom order, passing through our standard pre-shipment QC before it leaves the workshop. Add engraving to your next order.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the custom OEM process work?
Send a reference, sketch or CAD file. We quote, produce a 3D render, then a wax or resin model for approval before casting. Nothing goes to bulk without written sign-off.
How long does a custom sample take?
About 20 days for a new CAD model, including one revision round. Repeat designs reuse the existing mold and ship in 3–5 days.
What is the custom MOQ?
100–300 pieces per design depending on the mold and stone setting complexity.
Do you sign NDAs for private label?
Yes. Private-label clients get an NDA and exclusive mold use for the agreed term.
