Harvey,

Why do you think people would epoxy dome the imaged jewelry? As far as I know, the Metaxa image is permanent, on its own.

I would suspect the epoxy doming is to establish more perceived value or possibly to magnify the image.

David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA

David,

Another reason for doming may be to protect the image from the elements (tarnish).

The image can be far deeper than drag engraving. Even if done poorly it is probably a bit deeper. Mostly it is done on nickle plate, brass, or silver.

All will not wear with any significance. The silver will wear a little faster, but no worries about problems.

Nickle plate will not tarnish. The brass impact area will darken, as will the brass when the lacquer coat wears off. The silver the same problem. A dip works best on the silver, the polishes leave black inside the impact pits. I have had one return that looked like it was soaked in a strong alkali, it was a nickle plated piece. Two years and only one comment is a good track record. Business increasing in imaging tremendously by word of mouth says much for the contentment of the purchaser.

I think that the doming may help the sterling silver not to tarnish, but it might under the dome anyway. Sulfur is the enemy of silver, not oxygen. (It is also the enemy of copper and brass.)

In my unthoughtout(?) opinion, I think that doming is an increased perceived value. A very interesting idea if you have doming equipment.

Edit: Darned spiel chicken.

Philadelphia, PA (Really Bensalem)

Harvey's Sub Page When you finally understand it completely... it changes.

Harvey,

I have been doming silver hearts for sometime with no ill effects yet.

Rich

Harvey,

I want to inscribe the back of dog tags and sublimated silver hearts.
Would the Metaza do it good enough or would a diamond drag be better?

Rich