Hand engraved jewellery in 24 hours with names, dates or symbols

A name engraved on a gold disc. A date inscribed inside a bracelet. A few carefully chosen words, worn every morning when you wake up.

It often takes very little for a piece of jewellery to stop being an accessory and become something irreplaceable. That is precisely what engraving does: it anchors an emotion in the metal and keeps it there, against your skin, for years to come.

At Merci Maman, every piece of jewellery is hand engraved within 24 hours in our Paris workshop. No machine, no industrial laser: just a craftswoman, a tool and the care that goes into creating unique handwriting on every piece.

Why does engraving make a piece of jewellery truly unique?

A piece of jewellery can be beautiful without meaning anything. Engraving turns an object into a keepsake.

It can remind you of a person: a child's name, a partner's name, a parent who is no longer with us. It can mark a moment: the date of a birth, a wedding or a life changing meeting. It can carry an intention: a word you want to keep close to you like a mantra: Courage, Always, Together.

Above all, engraving gives a piece of jewellery sentimental value that time cannot erode. An engraved piece may become worn and develop a patina, but what it carries does not fade.

Hand engraving at Merci Maman

Unlike mechanical or laser engraving, every letter is drawn by hand by a craftswoman. The result has a slight, intentional irregularity that makes every piece of jewellery completely unique, even when two people have the same name engraved.

The engravings that mean the most, and why

1. Names: the most requested personalisation

Engraving the name of someone you love means keeping them literally close to you. It is by far the most popular engraving: a child's name on the first piece of jewellery given after a birth, a partner's name on a personalised bracelet, or the names of your children brought together on a single necklace that you never take off.

The Merci Maman charm holds up to 14 characters on the front, leaving enough room for a full name, or even a short date as an addition.

2. Dates to immortalise what only happens once

Some dates deserve more than a birthday reminder on a phone. Engraved on a piece of jewellery, they become part of everyday life. A child's date of birth, a wedding date, the date of recovery or a new beginning.

An engraved date on a personalised necklace or a ring will last as long as the metal itself.

3. Words and short quotes for a mantra you can wear

Some people choose a word to guide them: Hope, Strength, Family, Always, Free. Others prefer a short phrase: Nothing is ever lost, I love you, For life.

These engravings work particularly well on discreet pieces of jewellery, such as the back of a disc or the inside of a bracelet, creating an intimate presence known only to the wearer.

4. Symbols that say so much in a single sign

A heart, a star, an infinity symbol or the GPS coordinates of a meaningful place. Symbols condense an entire emotion into just a few lines. They are ideal for people who prefer discretion or want a non verbal engraving.

GPS coordinates for a special place, such as a birthplace, the location of a first meeting or a family home, are becoming increasingly popular. They create an engraving that is both personal and mysterious.

Summary table: which engraving for which piece of jewellery?

Type of engraving	Examples	Recommended jewellery	Ideal occasion
Name	Emma, Léo, Mum	Necklace, bracelet, ring	Birth, Mother's Day
Date	14.02.2019, 03/07/2024	Locket, disc, ID bracelet	Wedding, anniversary
Initials	A & L, M.D.	Ring, bracelet	Valentine's Day, couples
Inspirational word	Strength, Always, Hope	Bracelet, necklace	Any occasion
GPS coordinates	48.8566° N, 2.3522° E	Locket, disc	Places of remembrance
Symbol	♡, ∞, ✦	Disc, charm, pendant	Versatile

Four pieces of jewellery made to hold your story

1. Personalised Heart Locket Necklace

The Personalised Heart Locket Necklace is designed for intimate engravings. Its locket opens to reveal a message known only to you. It could be a name, a date or a few words never spoken aloud.

It is the jewellery piece for well kept secrets, one given to celebrate a strong bond without needing to show it to the world. It is ideal as a personalised birth gift or for Mother's Day.

2. Personalised Boho Chain Bracelet

The Personalised Boho Chain Bracelet is loved for its timeless silhouette: neither too dressy nor too casual. It can be worn alone or layered with other bracelets, while its engraving gives it lasting meaning.

It is the bracelet you eventually never want to take off. Perfect for marking a birth, a birthday or a turning point in life.

3. Personalised Leaf Ring

The Personalised Leaf Ring is delicate and elegant, making it suitable for all kinds of engraving: intertwined initials, a wedding date or a child's name on the inside of the band for a more intimate touch.

It can be worn alone or stacked with other rings to create a personal and meaningful combination. Ideal as a wedding jewellery gift or for a milestone birthday.

4. Personalised Hammered Double Disc & Heart Birthstone Necklace

The Personalised Hammered Double Disc & Heart Birthstone Necklace brings together three symbols in one piece of jewellery: engraving, a birthstone and a heart shape.

It is an intensely emotional piece of jewellery, ideal for celebrating a birth, Mother's Day or an important birthday. You can have a child's name engraved on one disc and the date on the other, together with their birth month stone.

What occasions are perfect for giving engraved jewellery?

Engraving is not reserved for major occasions. It can accompany all kinds of moments in life.

Birth. A piece of jewellery engraved with a name and date of birth is the most precious personalised birth gift you could give. It grows with the memory of that special moment.

Wedding. The initials of the couple, the date of the ceremony or a few words of commitment can be engraved on a piece of jewellery given on the big day or for a wedding anniversary.

Mother's Day. The name of each child brought together on a single necklace. This captures the full meaning of Mother's Day: a piece of jewellery that says "you matter" without needing another word.

Birthday. An engraved piece of jewellery for a milestone birthday, such as 30, 40 or 50, becomes a keepsake of the stage you have reached. An engraved bracelet or necklace featuring a word or date will accompany all the milestones that follow.

As a gift to yourself. Engraving can also be a gesture towards yourself: a word you want to keep close, or a personal date you never want to forget. Our personalised jewellery from €39 makes this meaningful gesture accessible.

How do you choose the perfect engraving?

There is no wrong answer, but here are a few guidelines to help you make your choice.

Think about the person, not the object. What touches them? What would they never say themselves? Sometimes the best engraving is the one that says in two words what you have never known how to express.

Think about how long the message will last. An engraving is permanent. Choose something that will still have meaning in ten years, such as a name, a date or an important word, rather than a reference that is too closely tied to a particular moment.

Think about the space available. Merci Maman discs can hold up to 14 characters on the front and 14 characters on the back. A complete date, such as 01.01.2024, uses 10 characters. A name such as "Marguerite" also uses 10 characters. If you would like to include several elements, choose a multi disc necklace or explore our jewellery configurator.

Think about the engraving style. At Merci Maman, engraving is always done by hand. You can choose a central engraving, with the text in the middle of the disc, or an engraving around the disc for a crown effect.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about engraved jewellery

What is a symbolic engraving on jewellery?

A symbolic engraving is the inscription of an element with strong personal meaning onto a piece of jewellery: a name, a date, an inspirational word, initials or a symbol such as a heart, star, infinity sign or GPS coordinates. It transforms a piece of jewellery into a unique keepsake filled with emotion and meaning.

What can be engraved on Merci Maman jewellery?

You can have a name, date, initials, inspirational word, short quote or GPS coordinates engraved. Each disc can hold up to 14 characters on the front and 14 characters on the back. Some pieces of jewellery can accommodate several discs, allowing you to combine several engravings on a single piece.

What is the difference between hand engraving and mechanical engraving?

Mechanical or laser engraving is carried out by a machine, making it regular and identical each time. At Merci Maman, every engraving is done by hand by a craftswoman in our Paris workshop. The result has a slight natural irregularity that makes every piece of jewellery completely unique, even when two engravings feature the same text.

Which piece of jewellery should I choose for a first engraving?

The Personalised Name Necklace, from €79, is ideal for a first engraving. It is discreet, versatile and instantly personal. The Personalised Boho Chain Bracelet is an excellent alternative if you prefer a piece of jewellery worn on the wrist. For a more elaborate gift, the Personalised Hammered Double Disc & Heart Birthstone Necklace combines engraving and a birthstone for a particularly touching result.

How long does it take for an engraved piece of jewellery to be ready?

Every Merci Maman piece of jewellery is hand engraved and dispatched within 24 hours. For orders placed before 1 pm on a working day, engraving and dispatch take place on the same day. Delivery in France then takes 2 to 5 working days, depending on the option selected. See our Delivery page for full details.

Can I send an engraved piece of jewellery directly to someone without it going through the buyer?

Yes. Merci Maman sends parcels without an invoice and includes a beautifully presented gift box. You can also add a personalised handwritten card, €3.95, and a gift bag, €3.95, when placing your order. The jewellery arrives directly with the recipient, ready to be given as a gift.

Does engraving last over time?

Hand engraving is durable when the jewellery is properly cared for. It is recommended to avoid prolonged contact with water, perfumes and chemicals. Regular cleaning with a soft cloth is enough to maintain the shine of the metal and the clarity of the engraving. See our jewellery care guide for further advice.

Keepsakes to wear every day

The jewellery that means the most is rarely the most expensive. It is the jewellery that carries something meaningful, such as a name, a date, a promise made to someone you love or to yourself.

Engraving is a way of making what deserves to last endure. It transforms a beautiful piece of jewellery into an object that becomes part of your life, one you carefully place in a box, perhaps pass on one day, and which preserves the emotion of the moment it was given long afterwards.

Explore our collection of personalised jewellery or create your own piece of jewellery by choosing charms, materials and engraving according to your story.