And with these ideas in mind, here are Chin's top tips for how to up your engraving game.
1. Think it over. Just as the ring itself wasn't an impulse purchase, neither should the engraving inside it be. "Take some time to think about what you'd like to engrave," Chin says, so that you don't end up with something you'll later regret. "Dates are a great way to start, but perhaps there's something more personal and unique that you'd like to inscribe," she prods. "Try looking through your favorite books or poems for inspiration."
2. Size does matter. Get your mind out of the gutter—we're talking about font size. "Think about how large you'd like your inscription to appear," Chin says. "Generally speaking, the longer your quote is, the smaller your font will have to be."
3. Test out the ABC's. Not only can you choose font size, but you can choose the font itself. Cursive, serif, sans serif, and more may just be a computer model away. "We actually allow our clients to bring in examples of their favorite lettering, which we can perfectly match for them," says Chin. "We can also engrave many different languages, symbols, and images. Not every jeweler offers these services, so it's best to ask about your options first."
4. Leave enough time. Engraving a wedding band won't take eons—but it's also not something that can be done while you wait in jeweler's lobby. "The time will vary depending on the jeweler and the complexity of your engraving," says Chin. "Our timeline is about two weeks."
5. Not all bands are created equal. A slim band encrusted with diamonds is not the ideal candidate for an engraving. Not sure whether yours leaves enough room for words? "The best way to find out whether or not your wedding bands can be engraved is to ask the jeweler that made them," says Chin.
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