How to Engrave Rocks

Select rocks for engraving. As long as you’re not planning on doing deep engravings or carvings, you can typically use regular field stone, which you can often find on a nature walk through your property or that of a friend. River rocks also work well; look for one that is gently rounded and has at least one flat side for your carvings. According to Charles McRaven, author of “Stone Primer,” harder stones such as basalt and granite have the added advantage of being easier to polish, which makes your finished engraving more visually appealing.

Prepare your engraving. Clean the rock with hot water and mild dish soap to remove any dirt stains. Cover a table with newspaper and sketch your preliminary engraving designs on a piece of paper. Consider using a main design or image with additional engravings for visual interest on the edges. Simple shapes such as curving lines and leaves are usually easy to engrave. Once you decide on your final design, transfer it to your rock using a wax pencil.

Engrave your rock using your electric engraver. Use the different diamond tips depending upon the type of design you’re engraving. For instance, a ball tip is useful for producing fine lines and outlines, as well as writing; a cone tip works well on shading areas on a flat stone surface. Work slowly, press lightly and don’t be afraid to try different techniques to get the result you’re trying to achieve. Be sure to wear safety goggles to reduce your chances of damaging your eyes during engraving.

Clean your rock when you’re finished with the engraving process. Wipe away the rock dust and check your engraving to make sure all your markings are fully engraved. Redo any parts that need additional engravings. Wash the rock with hot water and mild dish soap to remove dirt and markings that occurred during the engraving process.