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Having your wedding ring engraved with a secret message is the ultimate way to personalize an already unique piece of jewelry. That's because there’s something incredibly romantic about the inscription of a special date, two initials beside each other, or a phrase that only the wearers will understand.
Dating back to medieval times, this custom has been around for centuries, with couples choosing to engrave their most beloved pieces of jewelry with religious quotes and sweet vows stating their devotion to each other. But while choosing to engrave your wedding rings is a lovely way to make your piece feel one-of-a-kind, the process can feel a bit intimidating. After all, you don’t want to choose the wrong inscription or do something that could potentially change the way your piece looks.
To help ease your nerves, though, we spoke with jeweler Madeline Fraser to share everything you need to know about engraving your wedding rings. Plus, a comprehensive list of the most popular ring engraving ideas you'll love.
Meet the Expert
Madeline Fraser is the founder and CEO of the "try-before-you-buy" jewelry site and app Gemist.
How Much Do Ring Engravings Cost?
Your rings might have been pricey, but the good news is that you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to get an engraving done. “Engraving is relatively affordable,” says Fraser. “It all depends on the character count of what you want to be engraved. The average cost ranges from $50 to $100, and most rings accommodate between 15 to 30 characters.”
When Should You Engrave Your Wedding Rings?
If you know you want your rings engraved before you get engaged, let your jeweler know before purchasing this piece of jewelry. According to Fraser, “Engraving happens at the very end of the manufacturing process, so you have time to think about what you want your engraving to say while your rings are being made.” Nonetheless, if you do decide to get your rings engraved after you've bought your pieces (or even after the wedding), don't worry, you can do that too, just be prepared to split from your ring for a little bit.
How to Engrave Your Wedding Rings
Fraser notes that most jewelers will laser engrave rings, as it's the easiest and safest option for jewelry. “It’s a very precise and fast process using a pencil-sized laser beam,” she explains. “The strength of the laser changes based on the type of metal.”
In other words, this is a straightforward, quick method that shouldn't harm the integrity of your jewelry. This also means that the most difficult part throughout this entire process is coming up with something special to inscribe, especially since you may only have 30 characters to use. Luckily, we have a few ring engraving ideas for you, as highlighted below.
Photo by Rachel Rodgers
Wedding Ring Engraving Ideas
From traditional and religious to romantic and funny, get inspired by these popular ring engraving ideas. Be sure to take notes!
Traditional
Romantic
Funny
Religious
Coordinating Phrases