Jewelry stores will typically have a pantograph for engraving. The cut is made with a little rotary file. A master pattern is followed with a stylus. The cut will be a round bottom U Groove with a rough finish. Most jewelry stores don't want to engrave steel since its hard on their tools. Jewelry is very soft. I had a steel object engraved at a jewelry store many years ago. It came out ok but the store owner wasn't happy because it dulled his graver.

Hand engraving will have a V shaped groove that the artist rolls to flatter or steeper angles to provide width and depth to the lettering.

Last edited by Chuck H; 09/14/13 06:40 AM.