I need a quote for engraving.

[mickey cassiba]

First off let me say, I don't know what is involved in your craft. I need to find out what a fairly simple(to my mind) job should cost.
My wife's jewelry business is at the point to where she is taking on a partner. Both of them are talented artists, but both agree that a "trademark" should be included on each piece.
My questions are these:
1. Is laser engraving an option on small(4-6mm) round pieces of silver fill/gold fill rounds? She is looking at a bead approximately 4.5mm round by 2.5mm thick with a slightly ovoid face. I considered a mechanical system, but it seems that the piece would have to be rotated to achieve a consistent depth. Also the size of the piece doesn't lend itself to an end mill sort of solution. The engraving would be either a simple one or two letter monogram, or a small bee(her logo).She would be supplying the blanks, and the order quantity would be on the average of 100 pieces per lot. The pieces have a pre-drilled hole through the flat axis if this makes any difference.
2. Are any of you folks located in or near the Rio Grande Valley area of Texas? A face to face would probably be easier than trying to explain over the internet.
3. Is this idea even do-able. Is there another solution I have overlooked?
I have searched on line for crafters in this area, and the trophy engravers hereabouts simply roll their eyes.
Thanks for looking,
Mickey

[Tim Bateson]

The average laser will not engrave metal.

[mickey cassiba]

Hmmm, guess I'll try the cnc guys. Or could this be done on an acrylic(or similar material) bead? Size is important! She does not want to detract from the design of the pieces, but she does want to identify her work.
Thanks Tim

[Andrea Weissenseel]

On metal it could be done with thermark. For that size the design should not have many details. I've been engraving small 5mm balls for a piercing studio, that worked out fine.

Andrea

[mickey cassiba]

We discussed that, and the decided on monogram would be a simple "B". How much should she expect to pay for such a thing. She understands about setup costs and such, and knows the first lot would likely cost more than subsequent lots from the same engraver.

[Scott Shepherd]

My guess is you should go see a jeweler. They have the machine made to engrave around round surfaces and it's very inexpensive. If it's so small and such a simple task, I can't imagine it costing much at all, especially if you take them a box of them to do.

Jewelers that do that type of stuff are craftsmen and I'm sure they will have a solution for you. Plus, it'd be free to find out. Take a couple into a store that has a jeweler on duty and show them. You might even get a better solution. Those guys are uses to working in tiny characters.

Just my opinion.

[Jim Koepke]

I thought most jewelry marking was done with a stamp or punch.

jim

[mickey cassiba]

Originally Posted by Jim Koepke

I thought most jewelry marking was done with a stamp or punch.

jim

I did too, til I tried it. The construction of the bead that she wants to use is sort of like an aspirin with a hole drilled through the flat axis. No matter how lightly I tried to stamp them the hole collapsed. Even tried with a sewing needle inserted through the hole, which resulted in a needle with a big handle. Couldn't get them apart., and the ovoid surface of the bead looked pretty bad, deep at the center, barely visible at the outside. I may try casting a few.
And Scott, I went to a jeweler yesterday and was quoted $7.50 each. Way too much for the prices she's getting for her work.
Andrea, I see your located abroad, can you direct me to someone in the states who might be willing to quote a job like this? Or I can PM my email to you, and let you have them contact me?
Thanks all for the suggestions.
Mickey

[Scott Shepherd]

$7.50 each? That's way out there. I'd think it would be more in the $2.00 range for that kind of quantity. Maybe try another jeweler and let them know your budget for it before you get too far.

It's typically diamond drag engraved. They have machines that will do very small, round work. If you can find someone with the machine, it would be a piece of cake. I've seen them at shows, but never known anyone that has one. They aren't big money, but are used by many jewelers to do things like the inside of wedding rings, graduation rings, etc.

Here's the machine and on this page, there is a video clip of it engraving inside a ring. They'd just need to make a small fixture to chuck on to hold it. I'm sure you could contact Gravograph and find out who, in your area, has one. They are normally good about giving that info out.

http://www.gravograph.com/usa/Engrav.../M20-Jewel.php

Hope this helps.

[Guy Mathews]

Mickey,

Seems to me that it is time for your wife to take the plunge into the next level. Take a look at a Gravograph. These can be had on eBay for under 6K used or refurbished. It should do what you are looking for, plus it will do a whole lot more.

Guy

[mickey cassiba]

Originally Posted by Guy Mathews

Mickey,

Seems to me that it is time for your wife to take the plunge into the next level. Take a look at a Gravograph. These can be had on eBay for under 6K used or refurbished. It should do what you are looking for, plus it will do a whole lot more.

Guy

Re your signature first. That's way outside the box!
As to buying an engraver of any sort, she primarily strings beads and gemstones into pieces that rarely bring more than $50. While the tool fool inside me is drooling at the prospect, I'm not sure that it would be practical for the current scale or scope of her business, and I know we don't have the money on hand to pick one up. I did go to Gravograph and look around, and they are indeed nice machines. Good suggestion for a different situation.
After the shop is built, we may even consider going into engraving, but presently she is looking for a quick solution to distinguishing her pieces from her partner's.

[Myk Rian]

How about small decals?

[Guy Mathews]

Originally Posted by mickey cassiba

Re your signature first. That's way outside the box!
As to buying an engraver of any sort, she primarily strings beads and gemstones into pieces that rarely bring more than $50. While the tool fool inside me is drooling at the prospect, I'm not sure that it would be practical for the current scale or scope of her business, and I know we don't have the money on hand to pick one up. I did go to Gravograph and look around, and they are indeed nice machines. Good suggestion for a different situation.
After the shop is built, we may even consider going into engraving, but presently she is looking for a quick solution to distinguishing her pieces from her partner's.

Mickey,

The following is another reason I have my signature.

I searched your problem online for about 10 minutes and found this site.

http://www.infinitystamps.com/tagmat...ng_system.html

The site will custom make a stamp for you and your wife can buy the little tags in packs of 100 in various metals and sizes. These tags are added to the bracelet or necklaces right by the hasp or clasp. They are quite commom on Sarah Coventry, Avon and many others.

I hope this helps you out and offers up an inexpensive alternative until the "Tool Fool" in you realizes that you can not live without an engraver or a small CNC machine!!!!

Let me know how you make out.

Guy

[mickey cassiba]

Now that's an option! And the tool fool likes it too.Every day my box gets bigger, but then it's a longer walk to get outside of it.
Thanks Guy!

[Greg Muller]

Have you considered contacting the bead maker, or any domestic maker of beads? Perhaps if you order these by the thousand, they can make them with the 'B' as part of the form. Cost may be a factor, but they may already have the forms for these just waiting for a special order.

just a thought...