Engraved stones have an enduring appeal that transcends generations. Rock carvings span all the way back to around 20000 years ago, where depictions of hunter/animal can be seen chiseled into stone. These structures are referred to as petroglyphs, but the more common terms used in the present day are “carving” or “engraving”. Rock engravings were tools that were used by our ancestors and acted like time capsules for communication and commemoration that have stood the test of time.
Even in today’s fast paced digital world, the tradition of rock engraving is still very relevant. We here at GOC Rocks are custodians of this ancient craft. Each stone that we select from nature’s bounty has its own unique characteristics that we incorporate into the end product. Each stone we engrave with precision and care to reflect the powerful, lifelong message it will hold. In this guide, we aim to discuss the art of engraving.
It is common to assume that every rock is engravable. Even though this is true, there are some stones that engrave better than others. It is part of our craft to try and identify which stones will have the highest potential to have a high quality engraving when we are finished with the product. Typically, we like to look for stones that have a very low porosity, as this leads to a better, finer engraving. Another factor we look for in our rocks is a smooth surface with a beautiful color. You can imagine that this is a bit of a challenge while going through a large pile of rock that is covered in a fine particulate. Keeping quality work throughout every step in our process leads to a quality product that we are happy to share with you.
What does an engraved stone mean? Engraving a stone is like speaking a language, the communication has to be first transcribed into the stone, then it is transcripted by the viewer. If the transcription is poor, decoding the message the rock holds is made much more difficult. Engravings can be an expression of love, affection, reminders of wisdom, religious, and of course historical.
Expressions of Love and Affection
Engraved stones are unique expressions of love and affection. The message that last a lifetime is custom in every way. You may have heard of the three C’s when it comes to diamonds. Well, at GOC, we see these C’s as color, cut, and content. All three of these are necessary to deliver a high quality beautiful message to the observer. Whether it’s a romantic message, declaration of friendship, or a tribute to a loved one, high quality engraved stones convey emotions through our three C’s.
At GOC, we intend to crafting these expressions of love into all of our stones. Custom engraved stones stand as an outlet to create deeply personal and lasting messages. The simple message “I love you” engraved into a river rock with a beautiful surface and color only reinforces the readable message. All of these aspects are tangible to the reminder of love, whether it’s held or seen, the stone displays the warmth of that connection. In this way, engraved stones show the story of our lives. Our company recognizes the power these stones hold to capture and convey emotions. We focus on our craftsmanship and stone selection process to ensure each piece is a work of art that reinforces interpersonal communication.
Engraved Stones as Reminder of Wisdom
Beyond expressions of love and affection. Engraved stones also serve as reminders of wisdom. Our selection of ‘phrase rocks’ carry mantras, or affirmation that can offer guidance and inspiration. This shows that engraved stones are not merely decorative, but they can be used as tools for personal growth and reflection. The term “souvenir”, is a French term for a remembrance or memory. It is an object a person acquires for the memories the owner associates with it. Souvenirs align with the theory of Panmnemism, which references the ability of inanimate objects to store experiential information as memories. People experience a call back of a memory when they see or hold a unique object, similar to when you look at an old photograph. Some people choose a specific object as a memory vessel. Even while writing this, I can think of a few things I own in my head that bring me back to a past time like it is as clear as day. Our commitment to quality in our three C’s in our stones is intentional as a means to create a vessel that can convey these experiences to the end user.
Engraved Stones as Historical Artifacts
As mentioned above, engraved rocks have been used as a tool by ancient civilizations as a way to communicate and record their culture. These artifacts to us today offer glimpses into the lives of a past era.
Today, GOC Rocks continues this tradition with our selection of base artworks and the ability to personalize them to your liking. Whether used to mark a significant event, commemorate an achievement, or celebrate a milestone, these stones become vessels to store individual or family events.
Engraved Stones as Heirlooms
Our products make for great heirlooms to be passed down to future generations. Each one of our stones carries the legacy that is inscribed into it. A custom picture of your grandparents or parents, dog, or children with a date or short message can convey a snapshot of a point in time.
At GOC Rocks, We understand the significance of these stones to be used as heirlooms. Rock engravings that are used to mark a wedding or celebrate a birth can be cherished and passed down. Knowing that our products become an object of importance to your family inspires us to put our best foot forward in every one of our products, to assure quality and durability to carry on your message for generations.
Everything in perspective, an engraving is timeless and stands the test of time. For ideas on how to make your message unique and beautiful, please visit our gallery for inspiration!
