Mokume-Gane Jewelry
Perhaps the most popular precious metal lamenting technique used in 17th century Japan was called Mokume-gane. This technique was originally used in the manufacturing of samurai swords. It was a common practice for Japanese smiths to use Mokume-gane lamination to decorate the swords of the Japanese elite. Mokume-gane translates into 'wood grain' or 'wood grain metal' which is meant to indicate the unique metallic texture or pattern produced by this singular technique. Nowadays, this technique is predominantly used in the design and production of decorative items or ornate jewelry pieces.
The technique is unique in that it produces a textured, layered piece, which displays all of the various metals used in its making. Mokume-gane jewelry is considered especially appealing due to the intricate designs, which appear in random patterns along the metal's surface. The designs are said to resemble natural elements such as waves, landscapes and whirlpools. The exact location of the inlayed patterns may vary. The patterns may appear horizontal or vertical, depending on the specific casting method used.
The Mokume-gane laminating technique incorporates a variety of precious and semi-precious metals which include: copper, yellow gold, white gold, platinum, palladium, copper, brass, iron, silver, etc. The metals are first melted down, and then hammered into thin sheaves which are later twined together and integrated into the overall design. This incredible and unique technique can incorporate as many as 30 metallic alloys into a single design. However, for such a high number of metals to be successfully used in a single piece would require that the alloys be able to chemically fuse together before completely melting down.
Mokume-gane jewelry comes in a variety of shapes, styles, colors and designs. The four most popular metallic hues found in Mokume-gane jewelry pieces are green gold, bronze, grayish-silver and rose gold. Green gold Mokume-gane pieces are created by mixing a 75% high karat gold alloy with 25% silver. The bronze tint is achieved by combining rose gold, high karat gold, copper and bronze, a grayish-silvery tint is created with a mixture of manganese, silver, platinum, zing and a low karat gold and the popular rose gold color is created by smelting 75% high karat gold together with % copper. The colors and tinges of Mokume-gane jewelry can be tweaked, according to the customer's subjective tastes and preferences. A licensed jeweler, experienced in working with the Mokume-gane technique, should be capable of mixing and matching the different types and colors of metallic alloys.
Generally speaking, Mokume-gane jewelry is exceptionally rare, and is not that easy to find. Most retail jewelry stores do not carry these specialty items. A customer interested in Mokume-gane laminated items would probably be forced to search estate sales, pawn shops and auction houses for these unique pieces. Mokume-gane jewelry is usually custom made by an experienced professional. As such, Mokume-gane jewelry can be rather expensive. Prices vary in correlation with the amount of metal alloys used, their respective qualities, the complexity of the design and the amount of craftsmanship that goes into making the piece.
The technique is unique in that it produces a textured, layered piece, which displays all of the various metals used in its making. Mokume-gane jewelry is considered especially appealing due to the intricate designs, which appear in random patterns along the metal's surface. The designs are said to resemble natural elements such as waves, landscapes and whirlpools. The exact location of the inlayed patterns may vary. The patterns may appear horizontal or vertical, depending on the specific casting method used.
The Mokume-gane laminating technique incorporates a variety of precious and semi-precious metals which include: copper, yellow gold, white gold, platinum, palladium, copper, brass, iron, silver, etc. The metals are first melted down, and then hammered into thin sheaves which are later twined together and integrated into the overall design. This incredible and unique technique can incorporate as many as 30 metallic alloys into a single design. However, for such a high number of metals to be successfully used in a single piece would require that the alloys be able to chemically fuse together before completely melting down.
Mokume-gane jewelry comes in a variety of shapes, styles, colors and designs. The four most popular metallic hues found in Mokume-gane jewelry pieces are green gold, bronze, grayish-silver and rose gold. Green gold Mokume-gane pieces are created by mixing a 75% high karat gold alloy with 25% silver. The bronze tint is achieved by combining rose gold, high karat gold, copper and bronze, a grayish-silvery tint is created with a mixture of manganese, silver, platinum, zing and a low karat gold and the popular rose gold color is created by smelting 75% high karat gold together with % copper. The colors and tinges of Mokume-gane jewelry can be tweaked, according to the customer's subjective tastes and preferences. A licensed jeweler, experienced in working with the Mokume-gane technique, should be capable of mixing and matching the different types and colors of metallic alloys.
Generally speaking, Mokume-gane jewelry is exceptionally rare, and is not that easy to find. Most retail jewelry stores do not carry these specialty items. A customer interested in Mokume-gane laminated items would probably be forced to search estate sales, pawn shops and auction houses for these unique pieces. Mokume-gane jewelry is usually custom made by an experienced professional. As such, Mokume-gane jewelry can be rather expensive. Prices vary in correlation with the amount of metal alloys used, their respective qualities, the complexity of the design and the amount of craftsmanship that goes into making the piece.
