Engraving Stones: Everything You Need to Know (Seriously, We’ve Got It All!)

So you’ve mastered engraving wood and acrylic, and now you’re eyeing those gorgeous stones for your next laser project? Totally understandable! Stones like agate, faux turquoise, and selenite are stunning canvases for laser engraving, whether you're making jewelry or other decorative items. But, as always, there’s a learning curve—so let’s talk about how to get those perfect engravings using both the Glowforge Basic (40-watt CO2 laser) and the Glowforge Aura (6-watt diode laser). Plus, we’ll dive into the magic of marking sprays that make your life a whole lot easier when engraving stones.

What Stones Are We Working With?

Here’s the lineup of stones we’re focusing on:

• Agate (available in pink, blue, brown, and purple)
• Faux Turquoise
• Selenite

From the super-hard agate to the soft, flaky selenite, each of these materials requires a slightly different approach—but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Glowforge Basic vs. Glowforge Aura: The Basics

Let’s start with the tools:

• Glowforge Basic (40-watt CO2 laser): This is your workhorse for engraving stones, especially for materials like agate, which need that extra punch to get crisp results.
• Glowforge Aura (6-watt diode laser): Aura isn’t quite as powerful when it comes to stone, but with the help of some trusty marking sprays, you can still achieve great surface markings.

Important Prep Steps Before You Start

Keep Those Stones Dry

• First things first: always make sure your stones are completely dry before engraving. Dampness could lead to less-than-ideal results or even damage the stone during the engraving process.

Measure and Adjust for Tray Height

• Make sure your stone will fit in the laser without removing the tray. If it’s too big, don’t worry—just remove the tray and build up a platform for your stone. You can do this with scrap material to ensure the stone is at the correct focus height for engraving. (Pro tip: use a ruler or calipers to get the perfect height.)

Secure Your Stone

• You definitely don’t want your stone rolling around while the laser is working its magic! You can use things like honeycomb pins, play dough, tape, or even modeling clay to hold the stone securely in place. Try to level the stone as much as possible to get an even engrave.

Laser Settings for Different Designs and Shapes

Whether you're working on small, detailed pieces (around 1 inch x 1 inch) or larger designs (up to 2 inches x 2 inches), the laser settings will vary depending on the machine and design complexity. Here’s how to dial in the right speeds and power for both Glowforge models.

For Small Designs (1 inch x 1 inch)

• Glowforge Basic:
• Geometric designs: Set your power around 40% and your speed at 160. This will give you a clean, surface-level engrave on stones like agate and faux turquoise.
• Detailed designs: Lower the power slightly to 30-35% and keep the speed at 150-160 for more intricate patterns. You may need multiple passes to get the finer details sharp.
• Glowforge Aura:
• Full power (100%) is needed for these projects. Set your speed between 5-10 for geometric designs and around 4-5 for highly detailed designs. Don’t expect deep engravings, but you can achieve great surface markings, especially with the help of marking sprays.

For Larger Designs (2 inch x 2 inch)

• Glowforge Basic:
• Geometric designs: Increase your power to around 50%, keeping the speed at 150 for larger designs. You’ll still get a surface-level engrave but with enough power to make it visible on harder stones like agate.
• Detailed designs: Stick to 40-45% power and slow the speed to around 140-150 for precision, especially with detailed or intricate designs.
• Glowforge Aura:
• For larger geometric designs, stick to full power (100%) and adjust the speed to around 8-10. For detailed designs, drop the speed to 4-5 for finer control, and consider doing 2-3 passes for clarity.

Engraving Glass Stones? Try a Soap Trick!

For those working with smooth glass stones, here’s a neat trick: cover the stone with a thin layer of liquid dish soap before engraving. The soap helps the laser produce a cleaner result, especially for colored glass stones. Just be sure to engrave while the soap is still wet for the best effect!

Shape Matters (But Not as Much as You’d Think)

Whether you’re engraving a round, teardrop, or square shape, the same speed and power rules apply. For curved designs like teardrop shapes, consider lowering the speed slightly to keep the edges sharp, especially with more detailed patterns.

Frosted vs. Polished Finishes: Pick Your Style

Now, let’s talk about the finish. Do you want that cool frosted, rough-textured finish, or are you after a smooth, polished look?

• Frosted Finish: For that classic frosted look, simply clean the engraved area after you’re done. Use a damp cloth or soft brush to remove dust and debris, and you’ll be left with a textured, frosted finish—great for jewelry or decorative items.
• Polished Finish: Want something shinier? After engraving, use a soft polishing cloth or a rotary tool with a buffing attachment to smooth out the surface. You can even apply a clear lacquer over the engraving for a glossy, polished finish.

Post-Engraving: Cleaning and Enhancing

Once you’ve finished engraving, give the stone a good wash to remove dust or debris. If the engraving is hard to see, you can fill it with paint to make it pop! If you want to avoid messy cleanup, try masking the stone before engraving, then just peel the mask off once the paint dries for a clean finish.

Marking Sprays: Your Secret Weapon

Marking sprays are a game changer when engraving harder materials, especially if you’re using the Glowforge Aura. These sprays bond with the stone’s surface, so instead of vaporizing the material, the laser heats the spray to leave a permanent (or semi-permanent) mark.

Dark (Black) Marking Sprays

• CerMark LMM6000: This is the industry favorite for a reason—it gives you a permanent, weather-resistant black mark. Clean the surface of your stone, spray an even coat of CerMark, and let it dry for about 10-15 minutes. Then, use your laser at full power with a slower speed. After engraving, just wash off the excess spray, and boom—you’ve got a crisp, bold black mark.
• Enduramark Black: Another great option for permanent black engravings. Just like CerMark, you’ll want to apply it evenly, let it dry, and then engrave at full power with a slower speed. Enduramark is also weather-resistant, so it’s a perfect choice for any outdoor or frequently handled pieces, like jewelry.

Lighter (White or Other Contrast) Marking Sprays

• LaserBond 100: If you’re looking for a lighter, frosted look, LaserBond 100 is your go-to. Clean your stone, spray it evenly, and let it dry. Use your laser at full power with slower speeds for more detailed designs. After engraving, simply wash the stone, and you’ll get a subtle, frosted finish that’s perfect for a more delicate, jewelry-style aesthetic.
• Dry Moly Lube Spray: Want a semi-permanent option that’s easy to apply? Dry Moly Lube gives you a lighter contrast and works well for temporary designs or items that won’t see a ton of wear. The application is simple: spray, dry, engrave, and clean. It’s great for projects that don’t need to be as durable or weather-resistant.

Marking Spray Cheat Sheet

• Permanent and Weather-Resistant:
• Dark (Black): CerMark LMM6000, Enduramark Black.
• Lighter Contrast (White/Frosted): LaserBond 100.
• Semi-Permanent:
• Dark: Dry Moly Lube Spray.
• Lighter Contrast: Thermark.

Pro Tips for Glowforge Users

1. Always Test First: You don’t want to ruin a beautiful piece of agate or faux turquoise, so test your settings on a scrap piece of the same material before committing.
2. Keep It Clean: Both before and after engraving, make sure the stone’s surface is free of dust or oils. A clean surface means better adhesion for marking sprays and clearer engravings.
3. Multiple Passes Are Your Friend: Especially when you’re using the Aura or working with detailed designs, don’t be afraid to run a couple of passes to get the depth and clarity you want.
4. Consider Your Finish Early: Decide at the start whether you’re going for a frosted or polished look, and tailor your process accordingly.

Wrapping It Up

Engraving stones might seem intimidating at first, but once you get the hang of it, the possibilities are endless. Whether you’re using the Glowforge Basic or Aura, experimenting with agate, faux turquoise, or selenite, or playing around with marking sprays, you can create some seriously stunning pieces. So grab your stones, adjust your laser settings, and have fun creating unique, eye-catching designs!