5 Ideas For Redesigning Wedding Rings

Things may have turned out for the worst. Or you may want to experiment with a new style, surprise your significant other, upgrade an inherited wedding ring, or forget you ever wore it on your finger. We got you. Our 5 ideas for redesigning wedding rings will suit all purposes and amaze everyone around you!

Can I Redesign My Wedding Ring?

Yes, you can. It’s surprising to know all that can be done with a wedding ring. So the answer is yes, you can redesign your wedding ring, and the only limit is set by your imagination! Our advice is to think about it carefully, however. Getting your ring back to its prior shape might not be possible after manipulation. Be 100% sure about your decision!

Ideas to Redesign Your Wedding Band | Jaume Labró

When Should An Old Wedding Ring Be Redesigned?

We all think it is forever until it isn’t. The same thing happens with wedding rings, and there are many reasons why we may want to change one:

  • Your marriage has experienced an unfortunate turn of events
  • Your significant other has passed away
  • You’ve experienced a big weight loss/weight gain
  • You’ve inherited the ring and want to reshape it
  • You want to celebrate an important anniversary
  • You want to express everlasting love

5 Ideas For Redesigning Wedding Rings That Will Surprise You

We’ve gathered the 5 most creative and inspiring ideas for redesigning wedding rings, so hold on to your seat and let your imagination be carried away!

1. Get Your Ring Remodeled Using the Mokume Gane Technique

Mokume Gane is a Japanese technique that can achieve wood grain patterns on any type of jewel. It works by combining several metals, such as different color gold, silver, and platinum. The result is an interesting blend of colors interlaced by the different metals. Using Mokume Gane process to redesign your wedding band, while combining it with your engagement ring is one of the most awesome ideas to create a brand new ring!

arkab-mokume-gane-ring

3. Turn It To a Piece Of Art To Decorate Your Home

A wedding band can also be reshaped into a piece of art that can decorate your living room, or any place of your home. If you’ve visited the Palaces of Versailles, or any other ancient palace, you know there’s all sorts of decorative ideas using jewelry.
For example, you can put your ring gem on:

  • Cutlery
  • Furniture
  • A picture frame
  • On a glass of wine
Ideas for redesigning your wedding band | Jaume Labró

You may put it on a flower pot or even on a decorative katana, if you like swords. Just look around you and see where it could fit! The ring itself can be stretched out for similar purposes.

3. Replace The Center Stone (Or Add Stones To It)

One of the easiest and most effective ways to redesign wedding rings is to change the center stone. You will be amazed by how different the whole ring will look. For example, try out different kinds of diamond-cut:

  • Round Diamond: A round center stone on a smaller diamond bedding looks classic and elegant!
  • Pear-Shaped Diamond: The pear shape makes rings look like precious relics and gives an original touch to them! 
  • Oval-Shaped Diamond: Similar to the round ones, these are also classic and elegant while being a tad more sophisticated. 
  • Emerald-Shaped Diamond: Glamorous and splendid, this shape has a lot of visual impact, that is why a lot of Celebrities choose this diamond cut for their engagement or wedding bands!
Also, you can add small diamonds or other gemstones like rubies, sapphires, zircon… You can also combine it with the gemstone you should wear according your birth. Find it out in our ‘Birthstone ring guide’.

4. Create A New Jewel From Your Wedding Ring

Redesign your wedding ring into something brand new! Here are a few great ideas:

  • Transform it into a necklace: this transformation can be as easy as getting a chain to hold your ring. It will keep it visible and close to your heart. 
  • Transform it into a bracelet: the diamonds, gems, or inlay of your ring can be used for a bracelet. 
  • Transform it into an earring: this one is an easy transformation too and it might be as simple as getting your ring pierced by a jeweler!
urien-fine-jewelry-bespoke-mokume-gane-earrings-with-rubelites

5. Have The Ring Engraved Again

An engraving can do wonders when it comes to getting jewelry back to life or giving it a new and powerful sentimental dimension. Here are some awesome ideas:

  • A Significant Date: It might be the day you met, your wedding anniversary or the day of your first kiss! 
  • A Latin Inscription: Latin may be a dead language, but sounds all the more beautiful due to its ancient scent. A good idea may be: “Amor Omnia Vincit” (love vanquishes everything). 
  • A Religious Message: One of the most meaningful religious engravings is: “What God has united cannot be separated by man.”
  • Citations From a Famous Poem or Song: Nothing is as inspiring as the power of love, as witnessed by quotes such as: “To be able to say how much love, is love but little,” by Italian poet Petrarch.

Wrapping It Up

As this is a very personal and intimate matter, we suggest you give it some thought before you make up your mind. Hopefully, our ideas for redesigning wedding rings have served as an inspiration for you. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us and show us what you have come up to, it would make our day!

In Jaume Labro we specialize in designing – and redesigning – wedding bands following the ancient Japanese technique of Mokume Gane.

Contact us and we will assist you in creating a new jewel from your wedding band, or handcrafting another special ring for your beloved one.

How to Find a Wedding Band for Your Husband

Did you know that men’s wedding bands were uncommon until the mid-20th century? With a wide selection of bespoke jewelry styles, however, it’s clear that the modern tradition has really taken off. When choosing a wedding ring for your husband, there are a number of options to take into consideration, including sizing, material, personal style, and even lifestyle choices. With careful personalization, your future partner will have a perfect, one-of-a-kind wedding band that lasts a lifetime.

How Thick Are Men’s Wedding Bands?

You’ll first need to determine the width. Since this he’ll be wearing this for the rest of his life, encourage him to try on a few bands in varying widths. This will help determine a more comfortable fit and an aesthetically-pleasing ring. Most of our male customers select rings that are at least 4mm wide, but a thinner band is preferable to other clients. It’s entirely up to the wearer. Remember: Wider rings tend to use more precious metals, so they’re likely more expensive. By establishing the size and width of his wedding band, you’ll choose a piece that fits perfects –and fits within your personal budget.

How to Size Men’s Wedding Bands

Jewelers will obviously have a ring gauge to provide the best fit. A ring should sit comfortably on your finger –it shouldn’t be too tight or loose enough that it could fall off. By shipping our branded ring gauge to you, Jaume Labro ensures that each client’s wedding band fits them perfectly. Since fingers can swell (in hot weather, for instance), we recommend measuring your finger a few times before settling on the one you want.

What Are Men’s Wedding Rings Made out of?

Wedding ring material is more important than just aesthetics: A person’s lifestyle also needs to be taken into consideration. For occasional handymen, a men’s gold wedding band might be an excellent option. Say you’re looking at men’s wedding bands for construction workers or outdoors-men: Platinum, palladium, and tungsten are far more enduring and scratch-resistant.

Men’s Gold Wedding Bands

For someone with a simple aesthetic, you really can’t go wrong with a simple gold band – but with a slight twist on tradition. 

Yellow Gold Wedding Ring

aponi-mokume-wood-grain-metal-wedding-ring 

The Aponi Mokume Gane ring is a fine example of painstaking craftsmanship, balancing 18K yellow and white gold in a swirling Mokume pattern. Traditionally, yellow gold is the most popular choice for jewelry. Choose a 14k or an 18k gold ring to ensure a more durable structure (though scratches in gold rings eventually require polishing). Jewelry experts always recommend removing gold wedding rings before performing any manual tasks or working with chemicals.

White Gold Wedding Band

Over the last decade, white gold wedding rings have increased in popularity. They’re an excellent, budget-friendly choice for a person who’s attracted to platinum. If the ring is rhodium plated and regularly worn, it may require a new layer every decade or so. Rose Gold Wedding Bands Mokume Gane Wedding Ring, Mixed Metalwork - pink gold, white gold, silver - Custom Jewelry by Jaume Labro

The Valley Mokume Gane ring incorporates 18K rose and 18K white gold with silver, and is delicately trimmed with 18K rose gold. A popular emerging trend is the vintage allure of rose gold wedding bands. Produced from a gold-copper alloy, they have a more durable composition than their yellow and white counterparts. And unlike white gold, rose gold doesn’t require replating, though this may not be the best choice for people with certain metal sensitivities. Platinum Wedding Rings eros-platinum-mokume-gane-ring 

The Eros platinum ring is accented with a swirl of Mokume Gane along the band. One of the rarest elements in the world, platinum withstands unbelievable wear and tear. Even when scratched, platinum maintains its shine and color, developing a gorgeous patina over time. This is also one of the best choices for hypoallergenic jewelry. Platinum wedding bands, however, cost a great deal more than gold, silver and palladium pieces. Palladium Wedding Bands momiji-custom-wedding-ring-in-mokume-gane 

The Momiji wedding ring is crafted with 18K yellow and white gold with a contrasting palladium trim. Though relatively new to the jewelry world, palladium is a resilient, hypoallergenic metal that’s far more affordable than gold and platinum. With little need for upkeep, this metal maintains its naturally white appearance. Most jewelers are currently unfamiliar with caring for palladium rings, but that’s poised to change in coming years. Mixed Metalwork: Mokume Gane Men’s Wedding Bands yugen-unique-mokume-gane-wedding-band 

The Yugen Mokume Gane wedding band delicately fuses 18K rose gold, 18K white gold, and silver into a kaleidoscope of colors. Wedding bands don’t have to be made from a single type of precious metal, and a combination of colored gold can create incredible, one-of-a-kind masterpieces. To create a Mokume Gane men’s wedding band, various precious metals and colored alloys are hand-hammered, twisted, and forged into strong, intricately-patterned pieces. Because no two combinations are the same – and each wedding ring is made to your exact specifications – a custom Mokume Gane ring is as unique as the bond between you and your loved one.

How to Embellish a Men’s Wedding Ring

Once you’ve chosen the width and metals of your partner’s wedding ring, it’s time to select any embellishments to personalize it.

Gemstones

Over the last few decades, men’s wedding ring designs have expanded to include single and multiple stone settings. While precious stones (like rubies and sapphires) are excellent choices for men’s wedding bands, semi-precious gemstones like onyx, peridot, and garnet are both affordable and masculine. For men who work with their hands or play sports, gemstones may catch on clothing and materials. Instead of prongs, a flush or channel setting may be a better choice. izanami-mokume-gane-diamond-wedding-ring 

The Izanami Mokume Gane ring sets two conflict-free diamonds in a stunning pattern of silver, 18K white gold, and 18K yellow gold.

Surface Finishes

When finishing the outside of a wedding ring, a high polish is typically the go-to aesthetic. A highly reflective surface is a wonderful choice, especially on metals that hold up to general wear and tear (like palladium and platinum). zeus-and-hera-hammered-rings-pair-set

Our Zeus and Hera hammered gold rings are a stunning fusion of 18K gold and platinum. A matte finish makes surfaces less “flashy” and scratches are far less noticeable on a men’s wedding band for outdoorsmen or handymen. Platinum and gold hammered rings are also a great fit for men who appreciate more handcrafted looks.

Wedding Band Engraving Ideas

Most jewelers will offer to engrave your ring with a favorite quote, wedding date, initials, or even small icons. Whatever you choose to include, your story is a part of your husband’s wedding band forever.

Selecting Matching Wedding Rings

Matching Mokume Gane Wedding Bands

Rather than picking two distinctly different designs, many modern couples choose matching wedding bands. Whether your bespoke jewelry designs are identical or revolve around the same concept, Mokume Gane wedding rings that are forged from the same metal billet ensure a truly one-of-a-kind piece.

Design Your Future Husband’s Wedding Ring

Choosing your husband’s wedding band may feel daunting, but our design team is here to help you create a custom ring that perfectly showcases your love and commitment. Contact us to start the next chapter of your lives.

Mokume Gane vs Damascus Steel Jewelry

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.

Damascus wedding bands patterns
Damascus pattern from Damasteel

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. 

Damascus ring pattern
Damascus pattern from Damasteel

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.

Engagement Rings for Small Hands, Large Hands, & Everything In Between

You’ve found the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, and it’s time to choose an engagement ring. But between the band size, stone shape, metals, and a seemingly infinite array of styles, selecting “the right one” can feel daunting.

If you’re looking for a unique engagement band – or want to design a bespoke jewelry ring – we’ve created this ring setting guide that will ensure a flattering style for your beloved’s hand.

Engagement Rings for Small Hands

For small hands, proportions are important. A thin band with smaller – but still high-quality – diamonds is ideal for the ultimate sparkle. Aside from round-cut, the best gemstone shapes include Asscher, oval, and pear-cut diamonds.

engagement ring for small hands
Our Iris Mokume Gane Engagement Ring is crafted with 18k rose gold, white gold, and silver. A flawless round-cut diamond (0.3ct) is flanked by a channel of nine diamonds.

Engagement Ring Settings for Large Hands

People with larger hands are better able to carry bolder engagement ring styles with ease. Unless they’re in cluster settings, smaller stones will appear more miniature. Illusion settings and stacked bands not only optically increase gemstone size, but they’re also excellent options for those on a budget.

Another option is to choose larger, more affordable diamond alternative gemstones (like spinel, citrine, or garnet) that reflect a wearer’s style while flattering their hand.

diamond alternative engagement ring
Our Moon Citrine Ring is set in yellow gold and surrounded with a halo of conflict-free diamonds.

Best Ring Choices for Wide Fingers

It may seem difficult to make wide fingers seem slimmer, but this is achievable with the right ring. Steer away from narrow stones (like marquise-cut gems), as showing too much skin on the sides of the ring will cause fingers to appear wider than they are. Go with wider, squarer gemstone shapes like rectangle- and emerald-cut stones.

Solitaire diamond settings may run outside of your budget, but a three-stone setting should visually increase stone size. Smaller diamonds – running the length of the band – are also excellent for drawing the eyes outward.

The width of the band also plays a key role in optics. A delicate band may appear too small, so we recommend a medium-to-thick band.

best ring setting wide fingers
With a 0.55ct red spinel surrounded by perfectly-set diamonds, our Rosada Mokume Gane ring is a flattering choice for wider fingers.

Best Engagement Ring Settings for Slender Fingers

Many people assume that thinner fingers look good in every engagement ring setting. In fact, it’s quite easy to overwhelm these proportions.

Most jewelry designers and experts agree on the importance of striking a visual balance. Smaller stones are the best choice for slender fingers, as a large gemstone can easily look unbalanced. Oval, marquise, or other vertical-cut diamonds are great options. A slightly wider band balances things beautifully.

You can also consider a double diamond-studded band for more sparkle without overpowering smaller features.

best ring setting slender fingers
Our Tara Mokume ring showcases a 0.478ct marquise-cut yellow diamond, framed by 0.90ctw white diamonds. These are set in Mokume Gane pattern of swirling 18K yellow gold, 14K rose gold, palladium, and silver.

The Best Ring Settings for Shorter Fingers

For someone with shorter fingers, we recommend starting with a slim gemstone (like an oval, marquise, or pear-cut diamond). Paired with a delicate-looking band, fingers will appear graceful and longer.

best ring setting short fingers
Our 18K white gold Ice Engagement Ring is set with 0.70ctw blue topaz and 0.11ctw white diamonds.

Which Ring Style Works Best for All Hands?

Round-cut solitaire settings look wonderful on every hand, which is why they are unquestionably the first choice for brides-to-be (accounting for around 75% of the engagement ring market).

Halo engagement ring settings are other excellent styles which offer affordable options and dramatic payoff. Center stones are magnified with multiple gemstone accents, especially when the prongs are indiscernible.

blue-sapphire-diamond-ring-style-for-all-hands
Our customizable 18K white gold Kanti Sapphire and Diamond Ring is set with a center 0.56ct blue sapphire, surrounded by 0.40ctw diamonds and 0.52ctw sapphires.

Easy Tips to Buy the Best Engagement Ring

Before making any purchase, give yourself enough time to go over all of your options. If you visit a jewelry shop for inspiration, have your partner try on multiple bands in a variety of stone settings. Rings often look completely different in cases and on hands. Your jeweler can offer guidance.

Be Sure to Choose the Right Size

Accurately measuring your future fiancée’s ring finger will ensure that you purchase the correct size. A pinching engagement ring will appear painful and unflattering on her hand, no matter if she has wide or slender fingers. If it’s too loose on her hand, the ring will shift constantly and uncomfortably.

We’re Here to Help You Select the Best Engagement Ring

No matter what setting you end up choosing, you should feel confident in your decision. Jaume Labro’s team of designers and artisans work with each client to ensure the finest mokume engagement ring.

Browse our wide range styles for inspiration, or contact our team to start designing your own engagement ring today.

How Many Different Colors of Gold Are There?

When most people are asked about colors of gold, yellow and white varieties typically come to mind. And while these two hues are certainly the standard for most luxury jewelry, there’s an entire rainbow of gold alloys that are just as stunning.

Our Mokume Gane jewelry harnesses a wide variety of gorgeous shades to produce bespoke jewelry pieces. But how many different colors of gold exist – and how they are produced?

What Is “Pure Gold?”

When found in nature, pure gold is 24 karat. Because 24K gold is extremely soft and malleable, it’s a poor choice in jewelry production. To produce a stronger material, gold is mixed with other alloys (like silver or copper) to produce a stronger product. Nearly all of the gold used for jewelry production is an alloy.

22K or 18K: What Is Better for Jewelry Production?

22K karat gold is 91.6% pure gold, still brilliantly yellow, and slightly harder. That said, it’s still easily bent, making it a poor choice for gemstone-studded jewelry.

With a 75% gold composition, 18K gold is far better  for jewelry designed to be worn regularly without risk of damage. While 18K gold is a slightly different shade of gold (with less of a deep golden luster), it is a more affordable option and requires less regular upkeep.

With the right alloys, expert metalsmiths can produce a wide spectrum of intriguing colors. While black, blue, and purple are all possible gold colors, they’re notorious for breaking in traditional jewelry designs.

What Different Colors of Gold Are Used for Jewelry?

different colors of gold

White Gold

White gold looks incredibly similar to platinum – but approximately four times less expensive. White gold amplifies the beauty of colorless diamonds to produce a stunning effect.

Initially, white gold was a mixture of palladium and yellow gold. Today, it is most often created by combining yellow gold with alloys like zinc, copper, and a platinum compound (instead of nickel due to common allergic reactions). Rhodium plating is usually added to remove any trace of yellow that may still shine through. Though this plating may need to be replaced every few years, it is an affordable fix for an affordable metal. We could say Palladium and Copper have a key role in the alloys to create the different colors of gold range.

Rose Gold

Mokume Gane Ring Rose Gold, White Gold, Silver, Custom Jewelry by Jaume Labro, Wedding Rings

 

This hand-hammered rose gold engagement ring reveals a Mokume Gane pattern along the interior.

A unique option for the modern jewelry lover, the popularity of rose gold has surged over the last decade. Also referred to as pink or blush gold, this alloy is formed when copper and silver are mixed with gold.

For an 18k rose gold, you can expect approximately the following ratio: 75% gold, 22.25% copper, and 2.75% silver. To get a lighter 18k pink gold, the following proportions tend to be used: 75% gold, 20% copper, and 5% silver. Deeper, redder hues are achieved by adding more copper to the mix.

Green Gold

Created nearly three millennia ago, green gold is created by adding silver to gold (and occasionally copper). Green is the most popular “alternative” gold color because of its soft yet durable composition. Though not exactly an emerald or forest green, people love the subtle greenish-yellow tinge. Green gold fine jewelry truly shines when paired with a variety of gold colors.

green gold mokume gane rings

For the highest caliber of green gold, look for a balanced mixture of 18k green gold made up of 75% yellow gold and 25% silver. If you’re designing or purchasing an engagement ring, nickel or zinc may be added to strengthen the alloy. Be sure to ask your jeweler, especially if you suffer from metallurgical allergies.

No Matter the Color, Choose Ethical Gold

gold-mining-pollution-free-eco-friendly-precious-metals-jaume-labro

Cyanide is most often used to extract gold from ore, and then this poisonous substance leaches directly into ecosystems. When purchasing a beautiful piece of jewelry, take an extra step and check where it’s been mined.

Sustainable jewelry designers and consumers have begun using their purchasing power to choose eco-friendly gold. At Jaume Labro, all of our jewelry pieces are made from purified, existing gold. With zero environmental damage, your Mokume Gane jewelry will be even more meaningful.

Mokume Gane Patterns Capture the Beauty of Colored Gold

mokume gane technique

The ancient art of Mokume Gane fuses layers of precious colored metals in a one-of-a-kind pattern. This is an effective way to combine multiple metals into something uniquely yours.

Selecting colored, eco-friendly gold for your next jewelry piece is a surefire way to showcase your style and personality. Speak to one of the Jaume Labro consultants to start discussing your next Mokume Gane ring, necklace, or pendant.

If you still have questions about the different colors of gold and potential new alloys, just contact us and we will reply you in detail.

Ancient Metalworking Used in Today’s Jewelry

Metalworking Jewelry Techniques of the Millennia

With millennia of ancient metalworking jewelry techniques at our fingertips, it’s inevitable that jewelry continues to be influenced by time-old traditions. From Egyptian gilding to Damascus steel (that inspires our fine jewelry), expert metalworkers are proud to carry on the legacy of these intricate methods.

Egyptian Gilding

Thanks to mineral-rich lands and affluent neighbors, Egyptian artisans in the 4th century BCE began to create intricate jewelry and beadwork. By 2300 BCE, gold leaf was featured on paintings, coffins, and furniture in royal tombs. Within a few centuries, gold leaf jewelry became an indicator of status.

Though many of the resting places of ancient Egyptian artifacts were looted by grave robbers, there are still excellent examples of metalworking that fascinate experts today.

Ancient Metalwork Jewelry Techniques - Egyptian Gold Gilding
Broad Collars. Egypt, dynasty 18, reign of Thutmose III. / Flickr / CC BY

What Is the Process of Gold Gilding?

The oldest document relating to gold leaf creation was discovered in a Saqqara tomb, dating from 2500 BCE. Gold leaf making began with a pure gold or gold-base alloy (often combined with silver and/or copper), and melted until the perfect color was attained.

In this hieroglyph, the gold-melting production was depicted with two figures using blowpipes to shape molten metal, while a figure hammered the metal with a round stone. It is understood that the hammering took thousands of expert strikes to achieve the perfect thinness.

This gold leafing technique also influenced the Roman Empire, the ceilings and walls of temples and palaces. It’s not difficult to see how this aesthetic was carried throughout the Roman Empire and beyond.

The process of creating gold leaf has changed dramatically from workers hand-hammering metals in a primitive workshop. Today, anyone can purchase gold leaf from a craft store, but the art of application is still deceivingly difficult.

Mesopotamian Filigree

Metalworking Jewelry Mesopotamian Filigree

The earliest findings of filigree come from Mesopotamia, specifically the province of Mardin (in modern-day Turkey). Perhaps one of the strongest influences on surrounding civilizations, the development of agriculture allowed people to remain in one place, rather than being forced to migrate. This – especially irrigation – sped the advance architecture and decoration, including jewelry.

Sumer – the southernmost region of Mesopotamia – were famous for their filigree metalworking. What’s more, archaeological digs have discovered the art in locations as far away as Ireland and Siberia!

What Exactly Is Filigree?

Filigree is a metalsmithing technique that twists and coils fine wires into complicated shapes, resembling lacework. It is an extremely delicate art that has infinite possibilities. Traditional metal artisans have incorporated small beads and extra soldering to create a more creative, one-of-a-kind piece.

Today, the art of “telkari” filigree continues to live on in the hands of Kurdish artisans in the city of Midyat.

Ancient Greek Enameling

Ancient Greek Enameling - Jewelry Technique

Enameling Gallery by The Crucible / Flickr / CC BY

Around 1300 BCE, Greek blacksmiths (near the present-day city of Argolis) began to decorate jewelry with enameling. Within a thousand years, enamel began to feature in statues and other three-dimensional artwork throughout the empire.

What Is Enameling?

A glass-like glaze was added to the surface of a hollow metal. This permanently merged the two materials, resulting in a strong, gemstone-like substance.

Over the centuries, there were fascinating developments in the art, such as gold cloisonné. Cloisonné was created by soldering precious metals in a variety of designs, then filling the open cells in with colorful enamel. Eventually, enamel powder was used to make pastes, allowing greater flexibility than temperamental liquid glass. By the 1600s, the Limoges enamel method was favored because it didn’t require any metal.

Enamel jewelry is still a popular art throughout the world, though there is a far greater market for antique versions.

Damascus Steel

Damascus Steel

Experts can’t pinpoint exactly where Damascus steel was first forged, but many agree that it began in southern India over 2,000 years ago. This metalworking method then traveled along the Silk Road, landing in modern-day Syria around 900 AD.

During the Crusades, invading English and French armies believed that these blades were capable of cutting through rock without losing its edge. Though metalworkers attempted to recreate the process back in Europe, they failed to capture the process

How Was Damascus Steel Made?

Two highly-purified, contrasting steels were welded and forged into billets (or solid blocks). As they were thinned out and twisted by hammering blows, swirling patterns formed and were then polished to enhance their appearance.

Damascus steel blade production disappeared sometime in the 18th century, though the process lives on in our Mokume Gane jewelry.

What Is Mokume Gane?

Mokume Gane Jewelry Technique

Beginning in the 1600s, swirling, natural patterns began to appear on the handles and sheaths of samurai katanas. After the fall of Feudal Japan, metalworkers began to shift their focus away from bladework and towards hammered metal jewelry production.

Jaume Labro: Where Tradition Meets Ingenuity

At Jaume Labro, we produce Mokume Gane jewelry that reveres time-honored traditions and contemporary design. Whether simple or elaborate, your one-of-a-kind piece is sourced from conflict-free gemstones and ethical gold.

Choose from one of our Mokume Gane rings, or contact us to start designing your own. The options are as limitless as your imagination.

The Time-Honored History of Mokume Gane

Inspired by fabled Damascus steel sword making of the 9th century, Mokume Gane techniques have been used to create distinctive Japanese metalwork pieces for over 500 years.
Decorative patterns were hand-hammered and fired to craft the handles and sheaths of Mokume Gane katanas. The intricate artisanship meant that these pieces were status symbols in feudal Japan – especially in samurai society. Today, you’ll most often find this art showcased in Mokume Gane jewelry

What Does Mokume Gane Mean?

The word “Mokume” translates to “wood eye” and “gane” means “metal.” Looking at Mokume Gane jewelry, it’s a superb way to describe the distinctive wood-like patterns that run through each piece.

The Mokume Gane Technique

First, layers of precious and semi-precious metals are forged into a solid Mokume Gane billet through extremely high heat and pressure. Though copper, silver, and gold alloys were typically used in feudal Japan, palladium and platinum are increasingly popular Mokume Gane metal combinations.

Mokume Gane Billet

Once the Mokume Gane billet is formed, it’s hammered by at least 50%. This is the most crucial part of the process because if these metals begin to fall apart, the process is ruined. The carving and subsequent forging of the Mokume Gane metals is repeated until the desired pattern is obtained.

Mokume Gane Rings, Necklaces, & Earrings Take Shape

Once the patterned metal is flattened, filed, and bent, it’s shaped much like other conventional fine jewelry pieces.

The last steps involve finishing Mokume Gane jewelry with a matte, satin, or sandblasted veneer (or acid-etching) to show off the color contrasts. Acid-etching provides more definition to the pattern. This is also the time to include an engraving. 

Why This Technique Is So Important

While each artist has their own unique vision and chiseling techniques, many modern jewelers actually design “Japanese folded metal rings” – not Mokume Gane like they claim.

Jaume Labro is different: Our artisans only use a traditional hammer, chisel, and heat to create true Mokume Gane jewelry. 

Jaume Labro Mokume Gane

The Impact of Mokume Gane Jewelry

haze-diamond-mokume-gane-band
Haze mokume Gane Ring

Over the last few decades, Mokume Gane jewelry has experienced a dramatic increase in popularity. Modern consumers desire exceptional, one-of-a-kind pieces – especially when it comes to Mokume Gane engagement and wedding rings. 

Men’s Mokume Gane Rings

yugen-unique-mokume-gane-wedding-band
Yugen Mokume Wedding Band

Surprisingly, men’s Mokume rings are the fastest growing trend in this field. With unique, masculine options for each band, this ancient technique creates enduring metalworks that stand up to regular wear and tear (unlike standard gold alloys).

Matching Mokume Wedding Bands

uranus-and-ourea-mokume-gane-rings-pair-set
Uranus & Ourea Matching Rings

Another major request from customers has been matching wedding rings. Forged from the
same billet, whichever Mokume Gane pattern you choose will be expressly yours and yours
alone. No two creations will ever be identical, just like the bond shared between your loved one.

Jaume Labro: Jewelry with a Conscience

Not only are Jaume Labro fine jewelry pieces crafted with exceptional workmanship, but
they’re also created with love and respect using the best sources possible.

Ethical Gold

Recycled Gold Jewelry Maker

Gold mining takes an enormous toll on mine workers (e.g. child labor, health issues) and the surrounding environment. In order to create something beautiful, it must come from a place of respect.

That’s why we pay close attention to our sources and use purified, recycled gold (which is as perfect as freshly-mined gold) and purchase from groups like Fairmined and the Alliance for Responsible Mining. That means your Jaume Labro jewelry builds up communities rather than
destroying them.

Ethical Diamonds

Making Mokume Gane

Our fair trade diamonds are traced using the Kimberley Process, but when we purchase our gemstones, we go one step further.

To ensure there’s no worker exploitation or environmental damage, Jaume Labro personally
visits each mining site. Our company can trace each ethical diamond’s journey directly to our workshop.

Discover Fine Jewelry Pieces by Jaume Labro

Your Mokume piece likely commemorates an extraordinary, significant event in your life. Whether you choose a simple or elaborate design, our expert techniques and knowledge will help you every step of the way.

Browse through our Mokume Gane engagement rings or create one of your own with the help of
our expert designers.

The History of Engagement and Wedding Rings

The origins of engagement rings and wedding rings. For thousands of years, the representation of the bond between two people has long been a ring. These romantic and inspirational gestures have held steady, but where exactly did they come from? Though De Beers didn’t create the diamond engagement ring, they are associated with popularizing diamond engagement and wedding rings in the 1940s and ushering in the modern era of engagement rings.

Why Do We Wear Engagement and Wedding Rings?

The earliest known example of wedding rings came from Ancient Egypt, where bands were traditionally made from braided papyrus, and placed on the third finger of the left hand. This ancient civilization believed that the shape represented an everlasting circle, and the relationship would endure just as long.

Romans believed that the“vena amoris” (vein of love) connected this ‘ring’ finger to the heart. Early forms of ‘betrothal rings,’ were formed from husbands’ keys, to embody a literal key to his heart.

By the 2nd century BC, upper-class Romans began to use betrothal rings instead of dowries, which the groom paid to his future father-in-law. Rather than papyrus, a simple iron band was typically worn by the bride at home. In public – and for special occasions – she donned a gold band. Both symbolized the husband’s ownership of his wife, and metal wedding rings quickly became the societal standard.

The Revival of the Engagement Ring

The Revival of the Engagement Ring - Jaume Labro

The gifting of engagement rings died out until the 13th century whenPope Innocent III obligated a waiting period between engagement and marriage for would-be lovebirds. It was decreed:


We absolutely forbid clandestine marriages…when marriages are to be contracted they must be announced publicly in churches…so that if legitimate impediments exist, they may be made known. Click To Tweet


The required span of time and further religious hoops to jump through, revived the tradition of giving an engagement ring.

Who Designed the First Diamond Engagement Ring?

The most significant shift in engagement band trends was thanks to Archduke Maximilian of Austria during the 15th century. This nobleman presented the first diamond engagement ring to Mary of Burgundy, commissioning the ring to be inlaid with gemstones in the shape of her first initial.

At the time, diamonds were incredibly expensive and considerably rarer than they are today, making this quite an extravagant gesture. Within a few years, however, European aristocrats and royalty began to demand luxurious precious stone designs. Unsurprisingly, this is a trend that has remained popular since.

How Did Wedding Ring Traditions Evolve?

Origins of Engagement Rings and Wedding Ring Traditions - Jaume Labro

Romans were among the first to give wedding rings, though it is thought that signet rings were the inspiration. Men wore signet rings to be used as a wearable ‘signature’ for official documents, as few people at the time could write. Carved ring styles carried over to Byzantium, where the couple’s faces would be engraved onto the metal surface. When Christianity became the official religion, an image of Jesus or a cross was also added. Byzantine women began to don signet rings as both fashionable and functional statements.

Gimmel rings were incredibly popular from the 1600s through the mid-1800s, owing to the improvement of blacksmithing techniques. The rings were adorned with enamel, hand-cut stones, and carved features like hearts and flowers. Similar to a puzzle, gimmel rings are composed of two or three bands that link together. Brides and grooms would wear them separately during the lead-up to marriage, and combine them at the altar, symbolizing the coupling of two souls.

Promise Rings Have Long Been Given

Commitment and pre-engagement ceremonies have occurred as long as – if not longer –than the concept of marriage. And (much like relationship dynamics), thesignificance of giving promise rings has changed over the centuries, too.

Fede rings feature two clasping hands with intricate enamelwork. These have been fashionable European styles for over a millennia, especially the Irish Claddagh ring, which isworn for a variety of reasons. Some modern wearers change their band’s location based on their marital status.

Between the 5th and 17th centuries, poesy rings were designed and given to signify love, whether platonic, religious, or romantic. Words or short statements were engraved to personalize an otherwise common band, but only the wearer would know the secret meaning.

Where Modern and Ancient Ring Traditions Combine

Mokume Gane Wedding Ring Set - Custom Jewelry by Jaume Labro

Whether they know it or not, many modern couples have been inspired toengrave intimate, funny, or religious messages on their rings by the influence of poesy rings. The concept of personalization is more important than ever, and an array of engagement and wedding traditions are reflected in jewelry choice.

Whether conventional, vintage, or Mokume Gane rings, each twosome can find the perfect celebration of their love in their own special way. One trend is very clear, however: Modern grooms and brides overwhelmingly choose ethically-sourced jewelry with recycled gold and sustainable diamonds.

At Jaume Labro, we understand that crafting your engagement and wedding rings requires nothing less than perfection. Contact us today to begin designing your Mokume Gane jewelry with our expert team of artisans.

Fine Jewelry Care Tips & Tricks

Preserve and fine jewelry care for your most precious possessions should always be in the back of your mind. Heirlooms are meant to be treasured, and repair work can cost almost as much as a new piece. With these easy jewelry care instructions, you’ll keep your fine jewelry and Mokume Gane in fine shape for generations to come!

How to Store Your Jewelry

How To Store Your Jewelry  Fine Jewelry Care Tips - Jaume Labro

When you aren’t wearing your jewelry, be sure to keep it in a cool, dark area. A velvet-padded jewelry box is ideal for storage, as are the pouches and cases provided by the fine jeweler from whom you purchase the piece. Not only does this keep jewelry in good condition, but jewelry isn’t likely to be scratched or lost.

Regular Maintenance is Key

If you spot a prong or a clasp that isn’t totally intact, cease wearing it until it can be fixed by a professional. There’s no use losing a stone or an entire piece due to oversight. Every six months, ensure that your regularly-worn jewelry is properly checked for any potential issues.

Keep Gemstones Out of Direct Light and Away from Heat

Amethyst and Diamonds Ring - Jaume Labro Custom Jewelry

Many people underestimate the harm that sunlight and heat can do to gemstones. Under sunlight, some stones like topaz and amethyst start to fade, while others – like amber – become darker. People living in hotter climates may notice that hotter-than-normal summer weather and even dramatic temperature shifts can cause more fragile gems, like pearls and opals, to crack or dry out. Avoid spending a lot of time in direct sunlight, and take your jewels off before gardening or heading to the beach for the day.

Avoid Using Chemicals

Gold, silver, and platinum can be easily tarnished by household chemicals like ammonia-based cleaning solvents, chlorinated swimming pools, and even cosmetics like perfumes and hairsprays. Ammonia and bleach products are one of the worst chemicals to come into contact with gold and vintage pieces. Gemstones can also be tremendously affected by chemicals, especially if they are heat-treated, wax-coated, organic material, or contain fillers.

A good rule of thumb is to take off your jewelry before cleaning or swimming, and only put it on once you’ve finished your regular morning routine.


Gold and silver can easily be tarnished by household chemicals like ammonia cleaning solvents, chlorinated swimming pools, and cosmetics. Click To Tweet

Best Methods for Cleaning Your Jewelry

Not only does regular cleaning showcase the beauty of jewelry, but it allows you to check for any chips, weaknesses, and discoloration.

Surprisingly, the easiest method for cleaning most gold jewelry is one of the most recommended. Rather than purchasing jewelry cleaning solution, simply add a few drops of mild dish soap to a dish of warm water. Using a soft toothbrush, scrub your jewelry piece using your homemade jewelry cleaner.

Ultrasonic Cleaners and Gemstones

Today, most precious gemstones receive heat treatments, and their breakages are often filled with oil or resin. A gemological report should explain if your precious stone has been treated in any way. If you don’t have a professional report, avoid steam or ultrasonic cleaning treatments until a professional jeweler can determine if it’s safe to do.

Regardless of whether they’ve been heat- or surface-treated, an ultrasonic cleaner should not be used on certain gemstones. These include tanzanite, opal, turquoise, topaz, colored diamonds and lower-quality diamonds (which typically contain more inclusions). If you are cleaning pearls, however, be sure to use a soft moistened cloth, as they scratch easily.

Protecting Your Mokume Gane Jewelry

Mokume Gane and Aquamarine Earrings, How to protect your Mokume Gane Jewelry

It’s common for colors and designs to fade on fine Mokume Gane rings over time, but caring for them is similar to any other jewelry piece. Remove your jewelry before working with cleaning products or performing manual labor. This will avoid irreparable deep scratches and chemical abrasions.


Remove your jewelry before working with cleaning products or performing manual labor. Click To Tweet

How to Clean Your Mokume Gane Jewelry

Human skin contains oils which naturally polish the inside of rings, so only use a jewelry cloth to clean the inside.

If you notice that the metals of your Mokume Gane piece are looking dull and the patterns are difficult to make out, you may need a light clean. Simply add a few drops of dish soap to a moistened Scotch Brite pad and gently rub it around the surface of the piece until the natural finish is visible. Since you’re lightly abrading the surface, you should clean your Mokume Gane occasionally, and only when the designs are difficult to make out.

Learn why Jaume Labro is a leader in the ancient art of Mokume Gane, and how creating custom jewelry piece has never been easier.

Black Diamond Engagement Rings: Mysterious and Unique

Over the last decade, the fine jewelry market has seen a marked increase in demands for black diamond engagement rings. No, not the ski slope variety: black diamond gemstones!

What Is a Black Diamond?

Essentially, a black diamond is a white diamond which gets its color from its internal flaws, or inclusions. Just like a snowflake, no two gemstones share identical features, and black diamonds are a celebration of that uniqueness. Some scientists even believe that black diamonds come from meteorites!

Many people inaccurately believe that black diamonds are common, and while that may be true for lab-created stones, naturally untreated black diamonds are considerably rarer than white diamonds. They also offer striking and unusual options for fine diamond jewelry.

What Kinds of Black Diamonds Exist?

All natural diamonds are sourced from deep within the earth, but how they are then handled will determine their value. Black diamonds are formed by carbonados, or anomalous groups of carbon. Due to the graphite inclusions throughout these precious stones, it is much harder to cut them without cleaving or fracturing them.


Black diamonds are formed by carbonados, or anomalous groups of carbon. Click To Tweet

Though the more prized types are natural fancy black diamonds, most black diamonds on the current market are man-made.

Laboratory-Created Diamonds

Also known as laboratory-grown and synthetic diamonds, these gemstones are not mined from the earth. These types of diamonds are typically formed with HPHT (high pressure, high temperature). In no way do laboratory-created diamonds appear any less beautiful. In fact, their colors are usually more unvarying, offering a deeper, more solid black color. To determine whether it’s man-made or natural, it may take the investigation of a trained gemologist to tell the difference.

Naturally Treated Diamonds

Naturally-treated colored diamonds receive exposure to irradiation and heat in order to darken their color. Irradiation is simply a common practice in the gemstone industry when ionizing radiation alters the atomic structure of a gemstone’s crystal lattice. It is done to deepen color, reduce inclusions, and create colored stones that are either incredibly rare or non-existent in nature.

Is Diamond Irradiation Safe?

Radiation already naturally occurs at low doses, and millions of years of exposure can change the optical and structural makeup of a stone. With gemstone irradiation, the use of a nuclear reactor, accelerator, or cobalt-60 facility are used to treat stones, but don’t worry: irradiated stones carry less radiation than watching television or even having a porcelain crown in your mouth!

Naturally Untreated Diamonds

Black diamonds that are mined and cut without irradiation or heat are considered naturally untreated. These stones are less opaque than their treated counterparts, and their lovely inclusions are more pronounced.

The Real Value of a Black Diamond

Are the 4C’s Important to Determine Value?

Though the gray or black hue often occludes light from passing through the stone (clarity) a well-cut black diamond should have the shine and sparkle of any other colored diamond. A 16-facet cut for black diamonds is ideal, with a small table and larger crown facets. It is important that the stone’s surface is smooth and the color is uniform.

What Is a Typical Black Diamond Price?

Heated black diamonds can be valued at around 20% the cost of a comparable white diamond. Natural, untreated black diamonds of wonderful quality are incredibly rare, and can command a much higher asking price: sometimes $3,000-5,000 per carat!


Heated black diamonds can be valued at around 20% the cost of a comparable white diamond. Click To Tweet

If you’re looking to sell or insure your black diamond, we’d highly recommend having it appraised by a respected gemological institute like GIA, AGS and IGI, or a gemologist with proper credentials. Graded reports which detail your gemstone’s attributes are often available and can determine whether your black diamond is natural, treated, or man-made. Laboratory-created black diamonds will not be graded by a reputable gemological institute.

How to Care for Your Black Diamond Jewelry

Even though diamonds are one of the hardest substances in the world, the naturally-occurring inclusions can cause your black diamonds to be a bit more fragile. Be gentle with your stone, and avoid wearing your black diamond pieces during manual tasks, as it can chip or even fracture! To clean, either visit a professional jeweler or use a gentle, soft toothbrush and gentle soapy water for a great polish!

Black Diamond Trends Today

Over the last few decades, black diamonds have become quite a collectible gemstone. One of the most famous examples is Sarah Jessica Parker’s character receiving a black diamond engagement ring from Mr. Big in Sex and the City. Since then, celebrities like Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lawrence, and Cate Blanchett have all been spotted sporting these gorgeous diamonds.

Can I Create a Black Diamond Engagement or Wedding Ring?

Black Diamond Engagement and Wedding Rings - Jaume Labro Custom Jewelry

Before De Beers began their diamond campaign in the 1940s, it was common for brides to wear a variety of precious and semi-precious stones in their rings. The desire to choose a ring that fits your personality and desires certainly hasn’t changed, and it’s become en vogue to pursue more creative options to suit the unconventional bride.


With a black diamond, you can easily create a ring that is as unique as you. When black diamond jewelry is combined with Jaume Labro’s Mokume Gane technique, you’ll have a one-of-a-kind piece to treasure for a lifetime.

Contact us to create your Jaume Labro engagement ring today!

Buy Sustainable Jewelry, Plant a Tree

Plant a tree with us. We guarantee that we only support environmentally responsible suppliers – and you can choose to go even further as ‘your’ trees are planted in an ancient forest under threat. Perhaps one day, you will go and visit ‘your’ tree, but even if you don’t, your jewelry will remind you that somewhere in Africa, a tree is reaching towards the sky because you chose Labro.

Have your gold and diamonds ruined a forest?

For many, buying beautiful gold and diamond jewelry is not something they associate with large-scale environmental damage. The issue of blood diamonds has drawn even more attention. But animals, plants and entire ecosystems are under threat because of our thirst for beautiful gemstones and the gold that forms a perfect setting for them.

Jaume Labro, award-winning jewelry designer, doesn’t want his business or his clients to have this on their conscience. On the contrary, he believes that the knowledge of having improved conditions for humanity and the environment is an important aspect of his work and your jewelry.

Plant a tree, the perfect gift to the planet, concealed in your diamond engagement or wedding rings

Diamond engagement rings, gold wedding rings and fine jewelry already carry a depth of meaning that isn’t apparent when you simply look at them. Part of their beauty and significance is the love with which they are created and given.

Now you can have confidence that your jewelry has also achieved something special through forest protection or socio-economic advancement for the poor. 5% of the value of your exquisite handmade jewelry is donated to a cause. It isn’t added to the price, because Labro wants to contribute too.

Forest problems associated with mining

Every day, trees are felled to make way for the infrastructure that mining requires. Roads made through forests make them vulnerable to devastating fires by channelling air through the forest canopy, pollution of streams affects wildlife and people alike, and habitat destructions threatens vulnerable animal species.

For example, India is currently facing a choice between its forests, and the tigers they provide a habitat for, and becoming one of the world’s largest diamond producers. In South America, shallow hydraulic mining for alluvial gold is destroying swathes of forest and polluting the streams that act as their lifeblood, and in Angola, nature is unable to recover from the impact of diamond mining. As for New Guinea, it faces environmental disaster as watercourses and wetlands are rendered unsuitable for aquatic life.

Protect the forest by choosing Labro

The need for forest protection becomes more apparent with every passing day, but the lure of precious metals and stones provides a powerful incentive for governments seeking to exploit mineral resources. To save the forests, consumers have to get smart and start refusing products that are not created with forest preservation in mind.


The need for forest protection becomes more apparent with every passing day Click To Tweet

Recycled gold and diamonds, or those which are mined in an environmentally sensitive way should be our only choices. At Labro, we know the exact origins of any metals or gems we purchase. We make it our business to know that conservation and the protection of human rights are high on our suppliers’ agendas.

plant-a-tree-ecological-jewelry-by-labro-activism

Do no harm – but also become involved in activism

Not only will your jewelry from Labro consist of materials that did no harm, but choosing Labro becomes a form of activism. Apart from our donations on your behalf towards African education, we have also found a way in which we can make a small but significant contribution to save our forests.

What would you say if you knew that every $12 of the 5% profit percentage we donate when you buy jewelry from us meant that a tree was being planted in a vulnerable and unique forest? We can even supply you with the GPS co-ordinates!

Greenpop: our partners protect the forest

Finding the right environmental charity was difficult. Many large charities have become so cumbersome that much of the money donated goes towards supporting the organization rather than the cause it represents. Then we discovered Greenpop and its tree-planting donation that’s guaranteed to translate into a living, growing tree for just $12.

Platbos forest is Africa’s Southernmost forest ecosystem. It is home to leopards, caracal, buck, a huge variety of bird species and stately, ancient trees. But it is under threat. Invasive vegetation and a devastating fire in 2006 have raised concerns that this ancient forest and the wildlife it provides a habitat for will be wiped from the face of the earth. Wildlife protection means habitat preservation –but when a habitat has been damaged this badly, restoration is the only answer.

How to rebuild a threatened forest

Many ancient trees still remain at Platbos, but to preserve the forest and return it to its former glory, trees have to be planted. These trees don’t just have to be of the right species, they also need to be from the local genotype in order to preserve the integrity of this very unique environment.

Greenpop collects seeds and grows them in a special nursery until they are strong enough to survive in the wild. Then the trees are planted by volunteers according to the natural niches where they would usually be found. 8,000 trees were planted in May 2016 alone as local volunteers ranging from toddlers to adults set to work after having been invited to join the “treevolution”.


8,000 trees were planted in May 2016 alone as local volunteers ranging from toddlers to adults set to work after having been invited to join the “treevolution”. Click To Tweet

A tree grows in Africa – and you put it there

Greenpop is active across Southern Africa, but its southernmost project is one of its most inspiring. Perhaps one day, you will go and ‘visit’ your tree, but even if you don’t, your jewelry will remind you that somewhere in Africa, a tree is reaching towards the sky because you chose Labro. Will it become a leopard’s scratching post? Perhaps! But you won’t mind.

Save our forests and reduce your carbon footprint. Our action is going to preserve forest that might otherwise disappear, and when you get on the plane to go to your dream honeymoon destination, your carbon footprint is neutralized. Yes, you have joined the “treevolution”!

Donate directly or choose your gold and diamond jewelry from Labro

Feel free to donate directly and “plant a tree yourself”. It’s a worthy cause, and we’re glad we found it. However, you can also browse our superb handcrafted wedding rings, engagement rings and fine jewelry – or request a custom-made piece. The jewelry you choose will not only symbolize your special occasion, but will represent your commitment to a better world for all.

Recycled Gold for Sustainable Jewelry

Gold mining causes untold ecological harm. But the gold used to make your Labro ring is different. Find out more about eco-friendly gold. Ethical gold is that produced with no legal or moral concerns. That means no child labor. No illegal operations. No environmentally unsound policies. No association with war.

Eco-friendly and recycled gold for a greener planet

Why do we need to use eco-friendly gold? One simple fact: for every typical gold ring, 20 tons or more of toxic waste is produced.

The destructiveness of gold mining

This is due to the very wasteful process normally used to extract gold. Cyanide is dripped through ore, and gold is removed. The ore then becomes toxic from the cyanide and is left to poison the surrounding environment. Only 0.01% of the ore is turned into gold, and that’s why so many tons are discarded. Gold mining is also the top global cause of mercury pollution, and as many as 36 toxic chemicals are released through mining. Blasting and deep excavating also cause destruction to the land and the species that live off it. Mountains collapse, landslides occur, and deaths result.

Not all the toxic byproducts sit on the land. A lot of them are dumped into rivers and left to accumulate at tailings dams. However, these dams often collapse and allow the poisons to enter larger ecosystems. This is a cause of human and wildlife mortality and leads directly to the disappearance of villages and communities. Since mines are often in rural areas, native and aboriginal peoples are usually the most affected. Over 200 tailings dams have suffered significant collapses so far.

One example of this occurred in the spring of 2016, when heavy rains in the Solomon Islands caused a dam to overflow and release tens of millions of liters of toxic water downstream. The residents can no longer use the water for any purpose. The mine owners escaped liability by selling the mine a year earlier for a nominal fee, even though it had been the biggest in the country. Arsenic, cyanide, selenium and mercury are some of the dangerous substances that escaped.

Further, mining companies have been allowed to work in and around protected areas and national parks, so their pollution has had a significant effect on important species and ecosystems that are protected under law.

Gold mining harms workers and societies

There’s also the toll that mining takes on workers day to day. Countless gold miners earn little pay by working long hours in unsafe areas. Children can be used as workers. Nerve damage is the result of working in unbearably hot mines underground. Miners who are helped by air-cooling systems can still be killed when these machines collapse, as has happened in South Africa many times.

Respiratory diseases are also suffered by gold miners due to the silica dust that is thrown up by blasting and drilling. Cancer is another killer of miners, who may not even live beyond age 40 in some countries. It’s not a surprise that social unrest and civil war are strongly connected to gold mining in certain areas – miners often strike in frustration, which causes violent reprisals.

recycled-gold-mining-pollution-free-eco-friendly-precious-metals-jaume-labro

A solution that you can be happy with

Ethical and eco-friendly gold is a major concern for us at Labro. We are dedicated to using gold with a clear conscience. The recycling process is the most convenient for us – there is already a lot of gold available in various forms that can be simply purified to make jewelry. When it’s re-refined, it becomes as good and as valuable as freshly mined gold. And ethical recyclers capture all their emissions so that they do not affect the environment. When you purchase any of our gold jewelry from us, you support humane practices that are very appropriate for such exquisite, hand-crafted rings.

There are also groups such as Fairmined and the Alliance for Responsible Mining undertaking eco-friendly gold mining. Their mining practices use no dangerous chemicals and ensure that ecosystems are disturbed as little as possible. They also initiate programs to restore the environments they have affected. Workers in these programs do not have to worry about toxins, and their communities, lands and waters are kept safe.

Ethical gold is that produced with no legal or moral concerns. That means no child labor. No illegal operations. No environmentally unsound policies. No association with war. And, of course, clearly traceable supply chains. Some toxic chemicals are used in this process, but they are never disposed of in a dangerous manner.

Ethical gold is that produced with no legal or moral concerns. That means no child labor. No illegal operations. No environmentally unsound policies.

You can play a part in the recycled gold market by selling your own unwanted jewelry, electronics and metals to the right recycler. There’s no reason to leave these items around the house unused or to throw them out. With just a small effort, you will make the world a bit healthier and happier.

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Labro recycled gold offers you high-quality, guilt-free choices

Our Mokume Gane rings are made with a traditional Japanese process that few can master, and we want the gold production to be as admirable as our handmade jewelry is. Our subtle combinations of different colors and thicknesses produce rings that are difficult to find anywhere else, and we offer custom designs. Buy from us secure in the knowledge that we are contributing to the health, sustainability and prosperity of planet Earth.

Labro also understands that the best gold leads to superb jewelry, and gold from questionable business practices simply doesn’t have the quality and purity we require. By choosing to follow the high road, we give you the best gold possible. It will last through your lifetime and give your children and theirs equal pleasure. Our eco-friendly engagement rings and sustainable gold are family heirlooms, not temporary gifts.

Because recycled gold is 100% purified and because we only use the most unique and authentic Mokume Gane designs, your eco-friendly gold ring is a totally new creation with the highest quality standards.

Best of all, you will have no guilty feelings and no questions about wearing gold from Labro. Beauty doesn’t have to come at a great cost either environmentally or socially. More and more jewelers are realizing this, and we’re proud to be a part of the Eco-gold movement. We also offer attractive Eco-friendly rings and jewelry made with other metals like, platinum or palladium.

Please contact Labro at any time for detailed orders or options for your jewelry and recycled gold. Your design can have its own special colors, pattern and finish. It won’t resemble anything you see in a typical shop. It will say “Jaume Labro” and nothing else.

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