In June, I had the opportunity to attend a stone setting and engraving class at GRS, led by master engraver Todd Daniels. The week was fast-paced, intense, and so much fun.

For those unfamiliar, GRS is a manufacturer and distributor of professional engraving tools for jewelers. Their training center is located right inside their manufacturing facility, so in addition to hands-on instruction, we also toured the shop floor and watched the tools being made—the very same tools we used in class.

Last year, I took a hand push engraving class at Pratt Fine Arts. While I loved the introduction, sharpening gravers (the sharp cutting tools used in engraving) felt cumbersome and nearly impossible without magnification. It left me uncertain if I was doing it right, which limited how far I could explore the technique. Still, I knew I wanted to continue learning—and especially to try engraving with better magnification.

That’s exactly what GRS offered. Not only did I get to work under a microscope for the first time, but I also learned to use a pneumatic engraver. This tool uses compressed air to push a small piston inside a handheld tool that holds interchangeable gravers, making engraving more efficient and precise.

These are some beautiful examples of my instructor, Todd Daniels' work. He is an incredible teacher and man his work is breathtaking. Please go visit his website so you can see how these shine when they move.

Photos courtesy of Todd Daniels. 

Using the microscope was its own learning curve. Lining up the eyepieces, adjusting my posture, and letting the scope do the work was all new to me. Then there was the challenge of moving the workpiece within the narrow field of vision.

To paint a picture: imagine someone who doesn’t play video games suddenly trying to coordinate their body with a controller—lots of awkward movements until it finally clicks. That was me with the scope!

But I did it and I REALLY love it. It's so rewarding when it works right. 

One of the most surprising aspects of engraving is that gravers start as blank pieces of steel that you must shape and sharpen yourself. At Pratt, I struggled with this part, but GRS has created a guide system that makes sharpening both accurate and approachable.

Some engraving masters can do this entirely by eye, but I was relieved to have the guides—it meant confidence in my tools and more energy to spend on the fun part: carving into metal.

The images above are of me sharpening a graver. The spinning tool I'm using is called a Graver Hone and I'm using their Apex system (which you can see on the left) to help navigate the intricate and minute cuts on a piece of carbon steel which will be come a graver (see below). There are a series of spinning stones which are impregnanted with varing degrees of diamond grit that grind the metal away to create sharp points. The angles needed for specific types of cuts are really specific and for me this Apex system was a game changer. It takes the guess work out of it and made me much more cofnident!

A little bit of an afwul image but you get the point I think. It's TINY and SHARP!

By the end of the week, I was hooked. Each day, we worked from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on some days we were allowed to stay longer (which I gladly did). Every extra moment at the bench left me wanting more.

They're full of flaws but check out the samples I made below. I see visions of my future in these mistakes!

In addition to all the fun in class, I truly enjoyed my time in Kansas. I saw lightning bugs for the first time, drove dirt roads past endless cornfields, felt the wildest steady wind I’ve ever experienced, and got giddy over the most epic thunderstorm. My Airbnb was a cozy little retreat, and the new friends I made in class continue to cheer each other on through a group chat. It was the perfect mix of learning, community, and adventure.

“What are my dreams with this new work?” you ask. Let’s just say I hear wedding bells and see growth on the horizon. As the custom jewelry side of my business blossoms—creating heirlooms, wedding bands, and meaningful gifts—these engraving and stone-setting skills will help me grow with confidence and allow me to offer truly unique, beautifully crafted fine jewelry pieces.

Here are a few of the things I've made at my own bench back at home. I continue to practice a little bit every day.

I will have an anonouncement next week about the launch of these little engraved pendants and maybe even the little star shaped band on the left! The Sapphire ring in the middle is still a work in prgress but she's gonna be added to the wedding collection at some point! Keep your eyes peeled!

If you're looking to so something custom with me, please reachout. My customs are open and I'm eager to work on your project. 

Whether it's some heirloom jewelry you'd like to remake, or a pair of custom earrings for your wedding I'd love to help.