Engraving Service for 925 Silver — Personalized Gifts

An engraving is the shortest story a piece of silver can tell. Three words, four words — sometimes just a date. But they transform a gift from an object into an heirloom. Depending on the piece, we engrave it in our workshop in Chemnitz or have it engraved directly by the manufacturer — there is no fixed standard. We check which method is suitable for your piece individually with every inquiry.

What makes an engraving special

An engraving is more than just an inscription. It is firmly worked into the silver — depending on the piece, in our engraving workshop or at the manufacturer's. What has been engraved remains: through polishing, through generations. That is the difference between a gift that is beautiful and a gift that tells a story.

The content of an engraving is usually short. A first name. A birth date. A dedication of three or four words. Sometimes a symbol, a logo, or a family motto. For us, up to 30 characters is the standard — we discuss anything beyond that individually. What ends up on the piece depends on you. We are happy to help with suggestions if you are not yet sure.

Before every engraving, there is an assessment: not every silver item is technically suitable — the shape, the surface, and the finish all play a role. We will tell you before you order whether your desired engraving is possible on your desired piece, and if not, what the alternatives are.

Three methods — and why there is no fixed standard

There is no fixed standard with us. Which method is suitable for your piece depends on its composition — wall thickness, shape, finish — on whether it is in stock, and on how quickly you need it. This is why every engraving is handled via an inquiry: we check each one individually and coordinate the process with you before you order — or immediately after ordering, if you have already included the engraving in your order.

1. Engraving in our workshop in Chemnitz

For pieces with a sturdy wall thickness — cutlery, baby spoons, children's spoons, birth medals, letter openers, keychains, and also picture frames. The result is sharp, shiny, and permanent. For thin-walled pieces such as tumblers, baby cups, christening bowls, and rattles, we are cautious: thin silver can be damaged during engraving, which is why we have these pieces engraved directly by the manufacturer whenever possible. Engraving in our workshop generally extends the delivery time by 1–3 working days.

2. Engraving directly by the manufacturer

We order pieces from the Italian silver manufacturer ZARAMELLA Argenti — such as baby rattles and christening bowls — with the engraving done directly by the manufacturer; they can engrave them, including multi-line text. The piece then arrives freshly engraved from the manufactory, but requires a little more time. We have tumblers from ArgentA engraved exclusively by ArgentA — for thin silver, this is the safest route.

3. Engraving at SevChern for Niello silver (upon assessment)

The Niello manufactory SevChern in Veliky Ustyug can also engrave — upon assessment and depending on the piece, in three ways:

• Bright engraving — the lettering shines brightly against the silver.
• Engraving with oxidation — the engraved lines are blackened to complement the dark look of the piece. This is not Niello, but a darkened engraving.
• Engraving with Niello — very specialized and only possible if the piece is being made specifically for you. Firing the Niello would damage an already finished piece; therefore, the engraving must be planned from the very beginning. Production takes longer accordingly.

If you cannot decide between these methods, we will advise you based on your specific piece. You will receive a clear proposal from us, including processing time and effort, before you order.

Which products are engravable

Most of our silver items are engravable — some as a standard, some upon assessment. These categories cover the majority:

• Christening gifts: Christening cups, christening spoons, christening thalers, birth spoons — all generally engravable.
• Baby gifts: Baby rattles, baby spoons, teething rings, picture frames.
• Children's cutlery and cups: Children's cups and children's cutlery — also with Niello decoration via the manufacturer's engraving.
• Weddings, anniversaries, occasions: Silver tableware, coffee and tea sets, table cutlery, trophies, jewelry boxes, photo frames.
• Men's accessories: Hip flasks, cufflinks, cigarette cases, keychains.
• Women's jewelry: Jewelry boxes, pendants with sufficient surface area, jewelry cases.

If your desired item is not directly engravable, we often find an alternative — a second piece from the same line, a different position on the same piece, or an enclosure instead of a direct engraving. Just ask us.

How the inquiry process works — step by step

1. Submit an inquiry. Via our contact form, you provide us with the key details: desired item (with link or product number), desired engraving text (up to 30 characters standard, more upon consultation), font preference (if you have one), and position of the engraving. You can attach images, sketches, or your own logos directly.
2. Feasibility check. We check whether the engraving is technically feasible on your desired item and which path is suitable — our workshop in Chemnitz or the manufacturer. If you have already ordered the engraving with the goods, we will get back to you with our proposal immediately after your order. If adjustments are needed, we will suggest alternatives: a different position, shorter text, or a different piece.
3. Confirmation and ordering. As soon as the engraving has been checked, we will send you an email confirmation with the concrete processing time. You then order the piece through our shop. The engraving costs are calculated separately — as a second line item or via an additional invoice, depending on your preference.
4. Payment for the engraving. Via bank transfer, PayPal, or the usual payment methods of our shop. The order is processed after receipt of payment.
5. Execution and shipping. Engravings done in our own workshop generally extend the delivery time by 1–3 working days, while manufacturer engravings depend on the piece and take several weeks. You will receive a shipping notification as soon as your item is on its way.

Prices & payment

Standard engravings in our workshop are scaled according to the number of characters — transparent and without hidden costs:

Engraving type	Price
Up to 20 characters	19,90 € incl. VAT
Up to 30 characters	29,90 € incl. VAT
Individual engraving (logo, symbol, special characters, Niello/manufacturer engraving)	Price upon consultation

Manufacturer engravings (for Niello pieces or gold plating) have their own prices, which we calculate individually — they depend on the piece, complexity, and processing time. You will receive the price in the confirmation email before you place your order.

Engraving and SilberVerse — the two layers of a message

An engraving carries what fits into twenty or thirty characters — the name, the date, the shortest form of your dedication. Anything beyond that — the whole verse, the longer message to the child, the quote for a wedding — fits on a SilberVerse card: a specially written verse of 3–4 lines in the language of your choice, printed as a 15 × 10 cm photo card in a standard frame in silver, white, or black, available free of charge upon request.

If you want both — an engraving on the piece and a verse on the card — we coordinate this in a single process. One inquiry, one contact person, one result. Simply let us know in your inquiry that you would like "with SilberVerse".

Frequently asked questions about our engraving service

Which fonts are available to choose from?
We offer classic fonts — from simple and modern to traditional calligraphic. After your inquiry, we will send you an overview with examples so you can choose the right font for your piece. Custom fonts or logos are also possible; simply send us the file with your inquiry.

Which engraving method do you use?
There is no fixed standard. Pieces with sturdy wall thickness like cutlery and spoons are usually engraved in our workshop in Chemnitz. Pieces from ZARAMELLA like rattles and christening bowls are engraved directly by the manufacturer. SevChern can engrave in bright, with blackened lines, or — for custom-made pieces — with Niello, following an assessment. We will check which path is suitable for your piece when you inquire.

How long does an engraving take?
Standard engravings in our own workshop generally extend the delivery time by 1–3 working days. Manufacturer engravings (Niello or gold plating) depend on the piece and take longer — we will provide you with the exact processing time in the confirmation email before you order.

Can I have an item I have already purchased engraved later?
For many pieces, this is possible — depending on the finish and the desired position. Send us the piece (or a photo and description), and we will check the possibility. However, manufacturer engravings on already finished Niello pieces are not possible, because the engraving must be done before the Niello processing.

What happens if engraving is not possible on my desired item?
You will receive an alternative proposal from us — either a different piece from the same product line, a different engraving position on the same piece, or an enclosure instead of direct engraving (e.g., a SilberVerse card). We will not leave you without a solution.

Are special characters, Cyrillic script, or diacritics possible?
Umlauts (ä, ö, ü, ß) are standard. Cyrillic script, Polish or French special characters, religious symbols — all are possible after assessment. Simply send us the exact text you want, and we will check and confirm.

How do I combine an engraving with a SilberVerse card?
In a single inquiry. You state the occasion, the recipient, and your wishes; we take care of the engraving and the SilberVerse in parallel. The engraving is applied to the silver piece, and the card with the longer verse is enclosed in the standard 15×10 cm format in a suitable picture frame (silver, white, or black). Both are free additions to the silver gift — the SilberVerse, the standard frame, and the card itself, all free of charge. Only the engraving on the piece itself is subject to a fee as per the table above.

Which occasions are particularly popular?
Christenings and births are the most common — name, birth date, short dedication. Weddings and silver wedding anniversaries follow — initials plus date, sometimes both first names. Birthdays and company anniversaries with date, logo, or company signature. Less frequent, but regular: remembrance, mourning, words of encouragement — with a shorter quote.