The engraver uses special equipment which often allows you to dictacte the exact details that you require. Hand engraving seems to last longer than machine engraving, however, consider that machine engraving costs less than hand engraving and is more precise.

Engravers typically prefer to work with softer metals such as gold which is easier to inscribe. However durable metals such as rhodium seem to hold the inscription better over time.

Diamond headed engraving machines are used to create detailed designs in the surface of nearly any material. These images have extremely high resolution and can have very fine features - using the very precise "dot by dot" photo engraving techniques.

One of the fastest growing uses has been to create keepsakes by engraving photographs onto durable surfaces like personalised jewelry items.