About Us
More Than Just the Name isn’t just a motto — it’s the philosophy behind The Engraving Place.
Founded by master hand engraver Mary Li, The Engraving Place was born from a desire to preserve a craft that was quietly disappearing. After beginning her career in the jewellery industry, Mary saw firsthand how mass-produced, overseas manufacturing was pushing traditional hand engraving to the margins. Rather than accept that decline, she chose to go deeper.
With a strong artistic eye, formal training in gemmology and goldsmithing, and deep family roots in the jewellery trade, Mary travelled abroad to study the ancient art of hand engraving under renowned master engraver Sam Alfano. Years of intensive training and collaboration with other engravers followed, culminating in the opening of her own studio: The Engraving Place.
Today, The Engraving Place is trusted by both private clients and large organizations — including major corporate firms and Fortune 500 companies — for precision engraving that blends craftsmanship, accuracy, and artistry.
Our engraving services include:
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Hand and machine engraving on jewellery, watches, and precious metals
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Custom engraving for rings, bracelets, lockets, and heirloom pieces
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Corporate and brand engraving for awards, plaques, trophies, and executive gifts
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Blade, badge, and prop engraving for film, television, and special projects
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Engraving on steel, brass, silver, gold, titanium, and specialty materials
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Restoration and enhancement of existing engraved pieces
Along the way, Mary’s work has also found its way into popular culture. S
he has contributed engraving work to iconic science-fiction productions in
cluding The X-Files and Stargate SG-1. So the next time you notice an alien inscription on a blade, badge, or artifact, you might find yourself wondering:
Did Mary have a hand in that?
At The Engraving Place, every piece tells a story — and every mark is made with intention.