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When you exchange rings on your wedding day, what nicer way to send an enduring message of love to your partner than an engraved inscription inside the ring itself? The words you choose to write on your rings will be a permanent reminder of the vows you exchange and the commitment you make to each other on this most special occasion.

Whether it's a plain band or a ring set with precious stones, engraving a message is a stylish way of making your rings quite unique. The phrases that you inscribe remain private (as long as you don't take the ring off!) and your jewelry will have an added romantic association that will remain precious to you.

There are different methods of inscribing wedding bands, ranging from the individual craftsmanship of hand engraving to the precision of machine engraved work. You can opt to have a longer text inscribed inside your ring by a laser tool -- and now there is even the option of inscribing the outside edge of a diamond by laser.

The method you choose depends on your taste and, of course, on how much you're willing to spend. The small irregularities and variations that are part of the charm of hand engraving may suit an antique or personally crafted ring. You might, on the other hand, feel that machine engraving would suit a modern style of ring better -- for example, a contemporary design in one of the newer 'high tech' materials such as aircraft-grade titanium.

Laser inscriptions on the inside of a ring offer a remarkable degree of precision. Some laser engravers can write up to three lines of text on the inside surface, giving the wedding couple an enormous choice and the ultimate in personalization.

Whatever your choice of engraving technique, talk to your jeweler to see whether the work can be done for free as part of your ring purchase. Make sure that you see samples of the actual inscription work to judge for yourself what will best suit your taste. Consider the depth of the engraving: if you will be removing your ring and putting it back on often, a shallow etching may wear away over time. Remember also that your band must be a comfortable fit before you commission an engraving: any resizing work may damage or erode the inscription.

As for message itself, there's an enormous range of possibilities, simple or elaborate, zany or poetic, from symbols to religious or literary quotations. Most people choose words with a special private meaning for them -- and with the advent of new technology, it's possible to include entire phrases from the wedding vows, if that's preferred. Some couples like simply to have their initials and wedding date inscribed. Well known sayings are also popular, sometimes in English or in a language with classical overtones, such as Latin or Old French.

There may be a shape or symbol that could accompany or even replace the text in the inscription -- for example, a motif from your wedding decorations if they were designed to a theme. Think of the way that Celtic Claddagh rings use the traditional symbols of the heart and the hands to denote love and loyalty, sometimes incorporating those words into the design.

You can have your wedding bands engraved when you buy them or have the inscription done at a later stage -- perhaps to mark a special anniversary or other important occasion. It's a charming way to make permanent a personal massage of love to your partner.