Coordinates jewellery is a unique way of carrying your special place with you wherever you go. Whether it’s the city you got engaged in, where your child was born, or your favourite travel destination, preserving that location in a timeless piece is truly personal. 

But when it comes to personalising your piece, one common question arises: Which format should you choose for your coordinates? In this blog, we’ll share the different formats that grid coordinates can be written in, and what each one means for your personalised jewellery. 

Degrees, Minutes, Seconds (D° M′ S″)

The most common format for coordinates jewellery is one that displays the degrees, minutes, and seconds. This provides a precise location, which is why it was traditionally used on maps or in atlases. An example would be: 40° 42' 46" N, 74° 0' 21" W

It breaks down the location into: 

• Degrees (°) 
• Minutes (′) 
• Seconds (″) 

This format is perfect for those who like a classic, traditional look to their jewellery. However, since it uses more characters, it might crowd the engraved tag and there might not be any space left if you want to pair your coordinates with a special message. Our silicone wristbands or necklaces are larger which is perfect if you need more room.

Also, have a read of our other blog on how to read grid coordinates. 

Degrees & Decimal Minutes (D° M.M′)

For a shorter, less complicated format, you could opt for degrees and decimal minutes. This format blends the precision of DMS with a more modern, simplified feel. It looks like this: 40° 42.767′ N, 74° 0.350′ W

Instead of seconds, the minutes are expressed as decimals — making it neater and easier to read, especially in digital contexts. However, this format is a lot less used by people and might be harder to read since it’s a lot less familiar. 

Decimal Degrees (DD)

This is the most simplified and digital-friendly version of coordinates — often used in apps like Google Maps. It looks like this: 40.7129° N, 74.0060° W or 40.7129, -74.0060

Both latitude and longitude are expressed purely in decimals — no minutes or seconds. This format is great for a clean and minimal look, and is great for small spaces, especially if you want to add a message to your tag along with your coordinates. However, the downsides are that it may look too “technical”, and it lacks the traditional feel of the DSM / DMM. 

So, which one’s best?

There’s no wrong choice when it comes to engraving your own coordinates on jewellery, but Degrees and Decimal Minutes is the most common format. This is because it’s detailed enough to capture the essence of a special place without looking too busy. The decimal style is cleaner and more legible, especially on delicate pieces like rings or necklaces. It also saves space, allowing for better layout if you decide to add a special message alongside your coordinates. It has a modern, elegant aesthetic that pairs beautifully with both fine and casual jewellery.

If you’re not sure which format suits you the best, try typing your coordinates into a GPS converter like gps-coordinates.net or Google Maps, and see how they look in each style. Sometimes seeing it laid out can make the decision easy. 

In conclusion, coordinates jewellery is more than a set of numbers — it’s a story, a memory, a little piece of your heart — and there’s no wrong way to share it. Whether you’re drawn to the charm of DMS or the sleekness or DMM, what matters most is what the place means to you. 

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