Engraving is a technique of applying a pattern, inscription or image to a hard surface (metal, stone, glass) by cutting fine lines with a graver (burin) or modern tools. Unlike embossing, which raises a pattern by displacing material, engraving removes material, leaving a sharp, lasting design. It is an ancient art: engraving adorned weapons, vessels, seals, jewellery and signet rings, and applied monograms, dates and dedications that give an object personal meaning. Engraving demands a steady hand and precision, since a mistake is almost impossible to correct. Today hand engraving is prized as a mark of mastery and personalisation — it is precisely what turns an ornament into a unique heirloom.
