What Is Mokume Gane?
Initially used for samurai swords, this ancient Japanese metalworking technique heats and hammers precious metals into swirling wood-grain patterns. Learn more about the Mokume Gane process.
Why Is Mokume Gane So Expensive?
A Mokume Gane ring tends to have a higher price tag due to the artisanship that goes into producing it. From hammering precious metals to etching patterns, the entire process is done by hand and lasts generations.
At Jaume Labro, we use ethical gemstones and carbon-neutral precious metals for all of our pieces. While these materials may cost more, your Mokume Gane engagement rings and wedding bands should have only the most positive connotations associated with them.
Is Mokume Gane Durable?
Depending on the materials and quality of manufacturing, absolutely! When noble metals like gold, silver, palladium, and platinum are fused in Mokume Gane billets, they become a single, incredibly strong material.
What Metals Should I Choose for My Mokume Gane Ring?
This really depends on your lifestyle and style preferences. Yellow and white gold are classic materials but may eventually need polishing to rub out scratches. If you work with your hands or are involved in sports, we recommend selecting metals that can withstand greater impact (like palladium and platinum).
Why Does So Much Mokume Gane Use Silver?
Silver is the whitest metal used for jewelry design (lighter than platinum and palladium). Not only does it contrast beautifully against various metals, but etching silver also reveals a stronger Mokume Gane pattern. For a more obvious pattern, definitely incorporate silver.
What Materials Are Bad for Mokume Gane Jewelry?
Because Mokume Gane requires painstaking work and expert techniques, we don’t recommend reactive metals like brass, copper, and nickel. This has a lot to do with galvanic corrosion and potential dermatological reactions (especially once corrosion occurs). Also, copper and brass will turn your finger green!
Is Shibuichi Good for Mokume Jewelry?
Simply put, we don’t recommend Shibuichi for jewelry pieces. Traditional Shibuichi is an affordable alloy that’s composed of 25% silver and 75% copper. While it’s often used to produce Mokume Gane jewelry, sweat and moisture cause materials like copper and brass to corrode. Eventually, these pieces will weaken and fracture.
What’s the Difference Between Mokume Gane and Shibuichi?
Shibuichi is an alloy – 25% silver and 75% copper – that can be used to produce Mokume Gane. It is not the only alloy that can be used. In fact, any combination of two or more metals can produce a Mokume Gane piece.
What Metal Combinations Can I Choose for Mokume Gane?
We currently offer seven Mokume patterns – with varying metal combinations – to choose from.
Are Mokume Gane Patterns One of a Kind?
Because every piece of Mokume Gane is entirely one-of-a-kind, they may differ slightly from the images featured on our site.
Should a Mokume Gane Ring Have a Liner?
A liner increases the width of bands, meaning that you’ll have a thinner layer of Mokume Gane. A thinner band of Mokume Gane can compromise the ring’s ability to withstand wear and tear. If you incur a deep scratch in the surface or need your ring resized in the future, there may not be enough metal to make these changes.
We recommend a liner for Mokume Gane rings when someone has rare metal sensitivities (Jaume Labro is free of nickel, cobalt, copper, and chromium). While rare, an elaborate jewelry design may require a liner for greater stability.
Should I Etch My Mokume Gane Ring?
Absolutely! Etching Mokume Gane preserves the pattern, limits the appearance of scratches, and even ensures that the swirls and curves become more visible over time.
Should I Choose a Matte or Shiny Surface?
To make your pattern stand out, we recommend selecting the default matte or satin surface. When a shiny surface is selected, this pattern simply fades into the background.
Which Gems Look Good with Mokume Gane?
While a solitaire diamond is the most common choice, modern consumers are increasingly selecting diamond alternatives for their engagement and wedding rings. Whether you’re thinking of a sapphire or an amethyst, our design team is available to bring your vision to life.
Is It Possible to Resize a Mokume Gane Ring?
While our artisans can only increase a Mokume Gane ring by a single size, it’s possible to reduce them by any number of sizes. Resizing rings with liners is possible but still a challenge. To maintain structural integrity, the original manufacturer or someone who specializes in Mokume Gane should only carry out this work.
Note: Jaume Labro ensures the perfect fit by sending our brand’s ring gauge to our international clients
Get Started on Designing Your Mokume Gane Ring
Now that you know how to buy a Mokume Gane ring, it’s time to get started. At Jaume Labro, we pride ourselves on providing the most exceptional Mokume Gane rings anywhere. From our studio space in Japan to your finger, we are here to bring your vision to life.
