There is a special date approaching, and finding the best ring can be tricky. An engagement ring should be memorable, full of meaning, and, of course, full of love. Damascus Ring or Mokume Gane? Which would be the best choice?
Mass-produced jewelry is easy to find everywhere, but you are already thinking about buying a unique hand-made piece if you reach this article. Today, we want to help you to decide between these two similar techniques and rings.
What is a Damascus Ring?
Damascus Ring or Damascus Steel Ring is the popular name of jewelry made by layered metals folded together that recreate a woodgrain pattern. It’s a perfect metaphor for an engagement or marriage. As metals are bonded together as one, the same will happen with two people who love each other.
When and Where does the Damascus Ring Originate?
Damascus technique comes from the Middle East, where the best swords, armors, and weapons were forged centuries ago. Historians and experts think that this forging technique was used from 1000 until 1750, and warriors worldwide were seeking those masterpieces. The ingots of Wootz Steel were usually imported from lands in Asia: South India, Sri Lanka, or Iran.
There are some suppositions about the origin of Damascus Rings. The most popular one is the name Damascus comes from the city in Syria, Damascus, where most of the weapons and steelworks were done. They were a true legend because of their sharpness, beauty, and flexibility. Some swords could overpass their elastic limit, while the cutting edge was sharp and hard.
The production of Damascus weapons gradually decreased, and it is known that the last Damascus sword was forged at the beginning of the 20th Century. Some theories explain why Damascus Steel forging techniques were lost: changes of old trading routes, like the Silk Road, or the lack of transmission of the techniques to the newest generations.
From that moment onward, still “Damascus Steel” term was used to describe the patterns from their welded gun barrels, but the technique was forgotten. Damascus Steel techniques have been recovered to make some original pieces of jewelry, like engagement rings or wedding bands.
Damascus Steel Rings Pros and Cons
Damascus Steel Rings durability is one of the most attractive pros for purchasing this type of jewelry. Also, prices are lower as materials used for Damascus Steel Rings are not precious or semi-precious; mostly Damascus Rings are made with stainless steel, which is an inexpensive material.
On the other hand, some of the cons are that Damascus Rings can rust, even stainless steel can corrode in certain conditions Therefore, if you plan to buy one, make sure you appropriately take care of your new jewelry piece. The main enemy of Damascus Steel Rings is moisture, so you should not keep them in wet areas of your house, like the bathroom, for prolonged periods. Also, if you have a place by the seaside, make sure you have a wooden box to protect them from humidity coming from the sea.
Also, a Damascus Steel ring cannot be resized, as it will be damaged because iron is not a soft material. Before purchasing a Damascus Steel Ring, make sure you know your size. Also, in some cases, Damascus Ring can cause allergies as they may contain nickel. Make sure you get all the details and information about Damascus Steel to prevent any unpleasant surprises.
Mokume Gane Ring: Similarities And Differences To Damascus Ring
Sometimes, it can be tricky to see the main differences between a Damascus Ring from a Mokume Gane Ring, as they have very similar patterns.
Mokume Gane technique was sometimes used together with Damascus Steel to forge the best weapons, such as knives or swords. While the Damascus Steel was used for the blades, the handle was made by Mokume Gane, and the final result was simply astonishing, with a hard blade and a soft and precious handle. Sometimes, it can be tricky to see the main differences between a Damascus Ring from a Mokume Gane Ring, as they have very similar patterns.
The main differences between Damascus Steel rings and Mokume Gane are that the first one uses iron alloys, like steel or stainless steel. At the same time, Mokume Gane contains non-ferrous metals or alloys. Mokume Gane rings use precious metals, mainly gold alloys, platinum, palladium, and silver. Therefore, prices for Damascus Steel are more affordable than Mokume Gane jewelry.
It’s known that Mokume Gane was created in the middle of the 17th Century in Japan by Denbei Shoami. He adapted and mixed the forge-welded Damascus Steel with the advanced sword-making abilities of Japanese sword-makers. Nowadays, in the 21st Century, Mokume Gane is made by ancient techniques, and it requires special skills. Every ring is unique, further from any other jewelry coming from mass-production factories.
Mokume Gane vs. Damascus Ring: What To Choose For Your Engagement?
Both types of rings look beautiful and have similar patterns, like wooden eye grain. However, suppose you are looking for a gold-colored ring with unique and original wooden patterns. In that case, Mokume Gane is your best choice. Also, you can engrave the rings with names, sentences, or special dates. As it is hand-made with precious metals, you will be able to wear a unique piece in the world, which will symbolize more than a union between two people.
If you prefer silver-coloured rings, either Damascus Steel Rings or Mokume Gane Rings can be a good option. However, some men, especially those who want to wear their rings while working in some physical jobs, prefer that jewelry because it is resistant compared to standard wedding bands.
In any of those cases, before your purchase, make sure the artist will make the best, and you will get a unique piece with an elegant pattern for such a special occasion. In Jaume Labró we make sure you will get the finest and best Mokume Gane jewelry. Our team is composed of some of the best artisans from Japan, working with reused precious metals to leave the minimum carbon footprint in this world.
