Signing our work

Some time ago I was having a discussion with a friend of mine who is
a woodworker as well as a Lapidary Artist about pricing our work. He
made the comment that many of his clients would only buy pieces that
were signed and that many people collected pieces from certain
craftsmen. That got me to thinking about how we could mark our pieces
in order to bring some collectable value to what we do. I carve
freform pieces and no two are alike, but I am at a loss as to I could
mark these to identify them as mine as they are solely made of
gemstone material, quite small in a lot of cases and have no metal
that can be marked or stamped. Does anybody have any thoughts on
this?

Gerry

Yes Gerry,

I have been signing all of my gemstones (except those I facet) for
several years now. I purchased a diamond tip scriber from Micromark
for about $13 and it still works just fine. I find some place on the
bottom or side, whether a cab or carving, and sign my first initial
and last name (very small to as not to interfer with the stone)
followed by a 2 digit year.

Why? Because many years ago, when I was into cutting lots of opal,
I sold quite a few stones to women of the international community
living in Taiwan. Some years later, I saw a ring with an opal in it
in the window of a consignment store and was drawn to the stone…In
just know I cut it. But how to tell? I couldn’t. Now I sign all my
stones so they can be identified - some clients love it…others
don’t care but it only takes a few minutes and does add to the
intrinsic value I believe.

Cheers from Don at The Charles Belle Studio in SOFL where simple
elegance IS fine jewelry! @coralnut2

Hello Gerry: Could you make small metal plates that you could mark
and then glue to the item? Do you know anyone with a laser engraver?

Michael R. Mathews Sr. Victoria,Texas USA

Gerry: any type of mark that you register and use it solely for your
work… it could be a star, a bird initials, etc., perhaps drill a
small inset and put a piece of metal in it. Make the metal unusual
or perhaps it could be stamped and then placed in the inset… Ringman

Gerry: any type of mark that you register and use it solely for your
work… it could be a star, a bird initials, etc., perhaps drill a
small inset and put a piece of metal in it. Make the metal unusual
or perhaps it could be stamped and then placed in the inset… Ringman