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A recent video we edited of Arn working on a mokume ring in the studio.  

https://youtu.be/liO0Uj2h4tc

http://www.susanfredastudios.com

http://www.susanfredastudios.com

Mokume gane is an ancient metalworking technique in which layers of precious metal are alloyed together with heat and pressure, then twisted, carved, and forged to create beautiful organic patterns. Mokume Gane translates is Japanese and translates to "wood eye metal" which reflects the wood grain patterning admired by the Japanese craftsmen. This rare metal lamination process is similar to Damascus and was developed and used by Japanese swordsmiths in the 17th century to adorn samurai swords.

All mokume patterns are achieved by one of two processes; carving or forging.  Guri Bori mokume requires the most involved carving, resulting in a ring that has recesses or layers that resemble topography. Other carved patterns include the wood grain pattern, the twist pattern, and the droplet patterning. Forged patterns include end grain pattern, wave pattern, flow pattern, bookmatched endgrain, as well as others.

My mokume patterns are made in various combinations of yellow gold, red gold, silver, and palladium. In my many years of making mokume I’ve developed the skillset to make bands that resemble wood grain, topographical canyons, oceanic waves, and other natural formations. I take pride in the custom nature of the work and offer the widest selection of mokume patterns that you will see at any shop. Arn chooses not to line his rings with silver or gold and rather to let the beautiful wood grain patterning of the mokume shine through to the inside of the ring.  The integrity of the metal is featured this way and assures that you are getting a quality ring, not a thin sheet of mokume hidden by a liner.  The texture and feel of mokume is something to be treasured. 

Please note that all mokume patterns are unique and so the ring you take home will vary from those pictured. The images below and in the listings are meant to give an example of our different style options and quality of the ring, but please keep in mind that every item is individually made by hand and will inevitably vary from other rings in the same pattern category. 

Gallery 4, our home base for the past 10 years is going through changes…….partner Bob Smith has retired and Arn and I have taken over his half of what we know as Gallery 4.

 It's sort of like exhaling to be in such a big space. I feel like our work can breath too. Lot's of space to really see the work.

 I'm inspired to work bigger and have begun making molds to cast glass into.

Arn is making the most beautiful rose cut diamond rings in the archaic style of 22 karat wrought gold.  

 Soon we will have an opening and you will all receive an invite to see the new lovelys. 

Extremely hard to make!!  Especially when it is made entirely by hand as Arn does in our Tiverton Studio. It is a labor of love as each ring is exquisitely crafted and  designed for optimum beauty and design. 

Arn chooses not to line his rings with silver or gold and rather to let the beautiful wood grain patterning of the mokume shine through to the inside of the ring.  The integrity of the metal is featured this way and assures that you are getting a quality ring, not a thin sheet of mokume hidden by a liner.  The texture and feel of mokume is something to be treasured. 

~Mokume gane is an ancient metalworking technique in which layers of precious metal are alloyed together with heat and pressure then twisted, carved and forged to create beautiful organic patterns.  The metals we use include gold, silver, copper, platinum and palladium.  

Mokume Gane translates from Japanese as "wood eye metal" which reflects the wood grain patterning admired by the Japanese craftsmen. This rare metal lamination process is similar to damascus and was developed and used by Japanese swordsmiths in the 17th century for the adornment of samurai swords.