Our Blog
A log of our process, on the web.
Princess Cut, Brilliant Cut, Emerald Cut, Marquis...Exploring the Art of Stone Cuts
Posted by on
Including set stones in your design is a great way to elevate and customize your ring even further as an object de art. Arn sources incredible sapphires, diamonds, and moissanites from trusted sources and skilled lapidaries. He works with these stones specifically because they are the hardest and most durable stones, and they come in a range of beautiful colors. Arn works with each stones’ unique aspects to integrate it with your mokume gane rings’ composition, pattern and palette.
Cuts like the round brilliant or cushion can enhance the ring's organic patterns, while angular cuts like the princess or emerald may contrast for a striking effect. This interplay of elements creates a balanced and visually appealing composition.
Stones can be cut in so many ways, each style with different aspects. Understanding the interaction between light and a gemstone is very helpful in appreciating cuts. When light enters a stone, it reflects off its internal surfaces, creating a dazzling play and range of colors known as 'fire.' A well-cut stone will guide light optimally, increasing its brilliance and fire.
Selecting the right stone cut for a mokume ring involves considering how the cut complements the ring's design. The right stone cut transforms a gemstone, capturing light and color in its facets. Each cut unlocks the stone's potential, revealing its hidden beauty and brilliance.
At its core, a stone's cut refers to the geometric arrangement of its facets. These facets are strategically placed to reflect and refract light, enhancing the stone's inherent qualities.
Facets are the flat surfaces on a gemstone, and when facets are perfectly aligned, they create a kaleidoscope of colors, bringing the stone to life. The art of facet arrangement is both a science and an art, requiring skill and precision.
Cut, color, clarity, and carat weight are the universal standards for assessing diamond quality. While all are important, cut is often considered the most influential. A well-cut stone will outshine one with better color or clarity but a poor cut.
The overall shape of the stone is an important factor to consider as well. Different shapes each interact with light in unique ways, each offering distinct visual effects. The choice of shape can also affect the stone's perceived size; for example, elongated cuts like marquise or oval can make a stone appear larger than its actual carat weight.
The Classic Round Brilliant
The round brilliant cut is the most popular choice for diamonds, renowned for its ability to maximize light return through its facets.
This cut has a rich history, evolving from early diamond cuts that sought to maximize carat retention rather than brilliance. Its modern form was perfected in the 20th century with the advent of precise mathematical calculations and cutting techniques.
The design involves precise angles and facet placements to enhance light performance. The interplay of these facets allows light to be refracted and reflected multiple times, creating the signature sparkle that defines this cut.
The Brilliant cut has become a classic choice for engagement rings, visually pleasing to the eye, and generally appealing, allowing it to adapt to suit a range of different styles. Its more traditional look contrasts with the more modern and unconventional look of mokume gane, which can make for a beautifully interesting engagement ring.
The Princess
For those seeking a more angular look, the Princess cut can be the perfect choice, with its square shape, pointed corners and crisp, angular facets.
The princess cut was developed in the late 20th century, quickly gaining popularity as a more modern style. Its name evokes a sense of royalty and sophistication, appealing to those who love a blend of traditional and contemporary. The cut's sharp angles and clean lines offer a fresh take on classic elegance.
The princess cut’s design maximizes the stone's inherent sparkle and can make inclusions less visible than in other cuts. This combination of brilliance and practicality of cost contributes to its widespread appeal.
The princess cut's modern silhouette makes it versatile for various jewelry styles, from minimalist solitaire settings to elaborate multi-stone arrangements. And the straight lines of the princess cut can play well with various different mokume patterns. Contrasting against the organic and flowing style of a carved pattern like wood grain or twist, or complementing a forged pattern like vortex that has a more linear style.
The Emerald
Characterized by its rectangular shape and step-cut facets, the emerald cut emphasizes clarity and elegance. The emerald cut has a long history, originally developed for cutting emeralds to reduce pressure during the cutting process and prevent fractures. Its distinctive step-cut facets were later applied to diamonds, offering a unique alternative to more common brilliant cuts.
This cut's step-cut facets create a 'hall of mirrors' effect, and its elongated shape can make a stone appear larger, while the open facets provide a clear view into the stone's interior. The emerald cut is often associated with vintage and Art Deco styles, exuding sophistication and timeless beauty. Its refined appearance suits those who value classic elegance and understated glamour.
The Marquise
The Marquise cut is characterized by its elongated shape, pointed on both ends, creating an iconic and unique silhouette. The marquise cut's origins trace back to the 18th century, commissioned by King Louis XV of France, who desired a diamond cut that mirrored the smile of his mistress, the Marquise de Pompadour.
The marquise cut's elongated shape creates the illusion of greater size, making it a popular choice for maximizing carat weight. Its distinctive shape is ideal for those seeking a bold and elegant statement piece.
This cut is perfect for more eclectic and creative tastes, with its pairing of elegant curves and sharp points. It’s a striking and dramatic choice paired with mokume gane, making for beautiful engagement rings.
The Cushion
With its rounded corners and larger facets, the cushion cut exudes a romantic aura. It's particularly well-suited for colored gemstones like sapphires. The cushion cut, also known as the 'pillow cut,' has been a popular choice since the 19th century. It was the top choice for diamonds before the advent of the modern brilliant cut. Its soft, rounded edges and antique charm have ensured its enduring popularity among vintage jewelry enthusiasts.
The cushion cut especially enhances color and clarity, making it a great choice for colored stones. This is a cut anyone interested in a colored stone should consider. We love pairing beautifully colored sapphires and diamonds with mokume gane which is inherently a color based material.
The Asscher
Revered for its Art Deco appeal, the Asscher cut features a square shape with deep step cuts, similar to the emerald cut but with more angular precision. This cut is known for its dramatic optical effects and timeless elegance. The Asscher cut was developed in 1902 by the Asscher Brothers of Amsterdam, renowned diamond cutters of their time. Its unique design and angular precision quickly gained popularity during the Art Deco era.
The Asscher cut is also known for its distinctive deep cut, creating an intensely sparkling effect. It is a wonderful choice for those looking for a dramatic statement stone.
The Rose
This cut is characterized by a domed face with triangular facets, and a flat back. It’s often associated with vintage style jewelry pieces, as it was most popular in the mid 1700s and about 1840-1900. The Rose cut became less common with the invention of the modern version of the Brilliant cut in 1900, though it had a resurgence in the 1920’s and 30’s with the Art Deco movement. Art Deco jewelry favored large gemstones, and the Rose cut lends well towards this style, as it maximizes carat weight, letting smaller carat stones appear bigger.
The Rose cut is most often seen as a circle or oval, but is available in so many more shapes! Some Rose cut stones have a more opaque appearance, and the shallowness of the stones creates more of a subtle glimmer, rather than a dramatic sparkle. This cut is a perfect choice to suit a more classic or vintage leaning style, and offers a lot of character. It’s the perfect choice to create an heirloom mokume piece with a nod to the past.
Selecting the Right Cut for Your Jewelry
Choosing the right cut for your jewelry is a personal decision, influenced by style, symbolism, the type of gemstone, and the intended use of the piece.
In addition to style and symbolism, practical factors such as durability, daily use, and maintenance should be considered when selecting a cut. Some cuts, like the marquise or pear, may require protective settings to prevent damage to pointed tips. People who work with their hands and are very active might prefer a classic round stone to one that has square or pointed edges perhaps. Understanding these considerations ensures that the engagement ring remains a beautiful and enduring symbol of love.
Read more
Princess Cut, Brilliant Cut, Emerald Cut, Marquis...Exploring the Art of Stone Cuts
Posted by Susan Freda on
Including set stones in your design is a great way to elevate and customize your ring even further as an object de art. Arn sources incredible sapphires, diamonds, and moissanites from trusted sources and skilled lapidaries. He works with these stones specifically because they are the hardest and most durable stones, and they come in a range of beautiful colors. Arn works with each stones’ unique aspects to integrate it with your mokume gane rings’ composition, pattern and palette.
Cuts like the round brilliant or cushion can enhance the ring's organic patterns, while angular cuts like the princess or emerald may contrast for a striking effect. This interplay of elements creates a balanced and visually appealing composition.
Stones can be cut in so many ways, each style with different aspects. Understanding the interaction between light and a gemstone is very helpful in appreciating cuts. When light enters a stone, it reflects off its internal surfaces, creating a dazzling play and range of colors known as 'fire.' A well-cut stone will guide light optimally, increasing its brilliance and fire.
Selecting the right stone cut for a mokume ring involves considering how the cut complements the ring's design. The right stone cut transforms a gemstone, capturing light and color in its facets. Each cut unlocks the stone's potential, revealing its hidden beauty and brilliance.
At its core, a stone's cut refers to the geometric arrangement of its facets. These facets are strategically placed to reflect and refract light, enhancing the stone's inherent qualities.
Facets are the flat surfaces on a gemstone, and when facets are perfectly aligned, they create a kaleidoscope of colors, bringing the stone to life. The art of facet arrangement is both a science and an art, requiring skill and precision.
Cut, color, clarity, and carat weight are the universal standards for assessing diamond quality. While all are important, cut is often considered the most influential. A well-cut stone will outshine one with better color or clarity but a poor cut.
The overall shape of the stone is an important factor to consider as well. Different shapes each interact with light in unique ways, each offering distinct visual effects. The choice of shape can also affect the stone's perceived size; for example, elongated cuts like marquise or oval can make a stone appear larger than its actual carat weight.
The Classic Round Brilliant
The round brilliant cut is the most popular choice for diamonds, renowned for its ability to maximize light return through its facets.
This cut has a rich history, evolving from early diamond cuts that sought to maximize carat retention rather than brilliance. Its modern form was perfected in the 20th century with the advent of precise mathematical calculations and cutting techniques.
The design involves precise angles and facet placements to enhance light performance. The interplay of these facets allows light to be refracted and reflected multiple times, creating the signature sparkle that defines this cut.
The Brilliant cut has become a classic choice for engagement rings, visually pleasing to the eye, and generally appealing, allowing it to adapt to suit a range of different styles. Its more traditional look contrasts with the more modern and unconventional look of mokume gane, which can make for a beautifully interesting engagement ring.
The Princess
For those seeking a more angular look, the Princess cut can be the perfect choice, with its square shape, pointed corners and crisp, angular facets.
The princess cut was developed in the late 20th century, quickly gaining popularity as a more modern style. Its name evokes a sense of royalty and sophistication, appealing to those who love a blend of traditional and contemporary. The cut's sharp angles and clean lines offer a fresh take on classic elegance.
The princess cut’s design maximizes the stone's inherent sparkle and can make inclusions less visible than in other cuts. This combination of brilliance and practicality of cost contributes to its widespread appeal.
The princess cut's modern silhouette makes it versatile for various jewelry styles, from minimalist solitaire settings to elaborate multi-stone arrangements. And the straight lines of the princess cut can play well with various different mokume patterns. Contrasting against the organic and flowing style of a carved pattern like wood grain or twist, or complementing a forged pattern like vortex that has a more linear style.
The Emerald
Characterized by its rectangular shape and step-cut facets, the emerald cut emphasizes clarity and elegance. The emerald cut has a long history, originally developed for cutting emeralds to reduce pressure during the cutting process and prevent fractures. Its distinctive step-cut facets were later applied to diamonds, offering a unique alternative to more common brilliant cuts.
This cut's step-cut facets create a 'hall of mirrors' effect, and its elongated shape can make a stone appear larger, while the open facets provide a clear view into the stone's interior. The emerald cut is often associated with vintage and Art Deco styles, exuding sophistication and timeless beauty. Its refined appearance suits those who value classic elegance and understated glamour.
The Marquise
The Marquise cut is characterized by its elongated shape, pointed on both ends, creating an iconic and unique silhouette. The marquise cut's origins trace back to the 18th century, commissioned by King Louis XV of France, who desired a diamond cut that mirrored the smile of his mistress, the Marquise de Pompadour.
The marquise cut's elongated shape creates the illusion of greater size, making it a popular choice for maximizing carat weight. Its distinctive shape is ideal for those seeking a bold and elegant statement piece.
This cut is perfect for more eclectic and creative tastes, with its pairing of elegant curves and sharp points. It’s a striking and dramatic choice paired with mokume gane, making for beautiful engagement rings.
The Cushion
With its rounded corners and larger facets, the cushion cut exudes a romantic aura. It's particularly well-suited for colored gemstones like sapphires. The cushion cut, also known as the 'pillow cut,' has been a popular choice since the 19th century. It was the top choice for diamonds before the advent of the modern brilliant cut. Its soft, rounded edges and antique charm have ensured its enduring popularity among vintage jewelry enthusiasts.
The cushion cut especially enhances color and clarity, making it a great choice for colored stones. This is a cut anyone interested in a colored stone should consider. We love pairing beautifully colored sapphires and diamonds with mokume gane which is inherently a color based material.
The Asscher
Revered for its Art Deco appeal, the Asscher cut features a square shape with deep step cuts, similar to the emerald cut but with more angular precision. This cut is known for its dramatic optical effects and timeless elegance. The Asscher cut was developed in 1902 by the Asscher Brothers of Amsterdam, renowned diamond cutters of their time. Its unique design and angular precision quickly gained popularity during the Art Deco era.
The Asscher cut is also known for its distinctive deep cut, creating an intensely sparkling effect. It is a wonderful choice for those looking for a dramatic statement stone.
The Rose
This cut is characterized by a domed face with triangular facets, and a flat back. It’s often associated with vintage style jewelry pieces, as it was most popular in the mid 1700s and about 1840-1900. The Rose cut became less common with the invention of the modern version of the Brilliant cut in 1900, though it had a resurgence in the 1920’s and 30’s with the Art Deco movement. Art Deco jewelry favored large gemstones, and the Rose cut lends well towards this style, as it maximizes carat weight, letting smaller carat stones appear bigger.
The Rose cut is most often seen as a circle or oval, but is available in so many more shapes! Some Rose cut stones have a more opaque appearance, and the shallowness of the stones creates more of a subtle glimmer, rather than a dramatic sparkle. This cut is a perfect choice to suit a more classic or vintage leaning style, and offers a lot of character. It’s the perfect choice to create an heirloom mokume piece with a nod to the past.
Selecting the Right Cut for Your Jewelry
Choosing the right cut for your jewelry is a personal decision, influenced by style, symbolism, the type of gemstone, and the intended use of the piece.
In addition to style and symbolism, practical factors such as durability, daily use, and maintenance should be considered when selecting a cut. Some cuts, like the marquise or pear, may require protective settings to prevent damage to pointed tips. People who work with their hands and are very active might prefer a classic round stone to one that has square or pointed edges perhaps. Understanding these considerations ensures that the engagement ring remains a beautiful and enduring symbol of love.
Read more
Do couples pick out wedding bands together?
Posted by Susan Freda on
The tradition of exchanging wedding bands symbolizes a commitment, love, and unity between two people. And there are so many options for finding the perfect rings to symbolize this bond.
Many couples choose their bands together, to find a pair of rings that feel symbolic of each individual, and the connection between them.
There is also a unique appeal of custom made wedding rings, and specialty techniques like mokume gane allow for an added level of personalization.
The Growing Trend of Couples Choosing Wedding Bands Together
In the past, couples have separately chosen each other’s rings, but in recent years, the trend of couples selecting their wedding bands together has gained popularity. This collaborative approach adds an extra personal touch to the rings.
Selecting wedding bands as a couple can be a wonderful unifying experience. It allows partners to discuss preferences, styles, and meanings behind different designs.
When couples choose their rings together, they have the opportunity to choose what design elements would best symbolize their relationship and the marriage that they are building.
By selecting wedding bands together, couples can also ensure that their rings complement each other aesthetically. This is perfect for a pair who have distinct personal styles and tastes, but would still like their wedding bands to feel like a set.
Exploring Custom Wedding Bands
Custom wedding bands offer couples the flexibility to create rings that are as unique as their relationship. The journey begins with a design consultation, where couples share their vision with a goldsmith. This initial discussion helps both the designer and couple understand the direction to take the designs and what will be feasible for their budget, timeline, and personal preferences, in bringing their vision to life.
Choosing the right materials is an essential step in creating custom wedding bands. This is where mokume gane in particular is a great choice, both in quality of craft and symbolism of a strong bond.
Mokume Gane Wedding Ring Sets: A Unique Choice
Mokume gane, with its roots in traditional Japanese metal working, is a perfect style for wedding bands. This technique involves layering different metals and fusing them together, then manipulating the metals through carving and forging to create beautiful patterns. Mokume gane wedding ring sets are particularly appealing for couples seeking distinctive and artistic designs.
The creation of mokume gane rings involves fusing layers of precious metals like golds, palladium, silverand platinum. This stack of metals, called a billet, can then be twisted, folded, carved, all by hand. This painstaking process results in rings that are as unique
The artistry behind mokume gane rings goes beyond aesthetics. The technique represents the blending of different elements—metals in this case—to form a harmonious whole. This perfectly reflects the concept of a union like a marriage, a strong bond forged to bring two people together and create something new.
Couples can further personalize mokume gane wedding ring sets by selecting the metal combinations and patterns that resonate with their relationship. This customization allows them to create rings that are not only visually stunning but also deeply meaningful. Arn’s mokume gane work especially offers a wide variety of options, as each of his patterns has a distinct look and are inspired by different elements of nature, so the individual can choose a pattern that most reflects their personality and style. Choosing different patterns but the same metal palette is one example of a way to create a cohesive set that doesn’t feel too matching, but clearly complements each other.
Read more
Do couples pick out wedding bands together?
Posted by Susan Freda on
The tradition of exchanging wedding bands symbolizes a commitment, love, and unity between two people. And there are so many options for finding the perfect rings to symbolize this bond.
Many couples choose their bands together, to find a pair of rings that feel symbolic of each individual, and the connection between them.
There is also a unique appeal of custom made wedding rings, and specialty techniques like mokume gane allow for an added level of personalization.
The Growing Trend of Couples Choosing Wedding Bands Together
In the past, couples have separately chosen each other’s rings, but in recent years, the trend of couples selecting their wedding bands together has gained popularity. This collaborative approach adds an extra personal touch to the rings.
Selecting wedding bands as a couple can be a wonderful unifying experience. It allows partners to discuss preferences, styles, and meanings behind different designs.
When couples choose their rings together, they have the opportunity to choose what design elements would best symbolize their relationship and the marriage that they are building.
By selecting wedding bands together, couples can also ensure that their rings complement each other aesthetically. This is perfect for a pair who have distinct personal styles and tastes, but would still like their wedding bands to feel like a set.
Exploring Custom Wedding Bands
Custom wedding bands offer couples the flexibility to create rings that are as unique as their relationship. The journey begins with a design consultation, where couples share their vision with a goldsmith. This initial discussion helps both the designer and couple understand the direction to take the designs and what will be feasible for their budget, timeline, and personal preferences, in bringing their vision to life.
Choosing the right materials is an essential step in creating custom wedding bands. This is where mokume gane in particular is a great choice, both in quality of craft and symbolism of a strong bond.
Mokume Gane Wedding Ring Sets: A Unique Choice
Mokume gane, with its roots in traditional Japanese metal working, is a perfect style for wedding bands. This technique involves layering different metals and fusing them together, then manipulating the metals through carving and forging to create beautiful patterns. Mokume gane wedding ring sets are particularly appealing for couples seeking distinctive and artistic designs.
The creation of mokume gane rings involves fusing layers of precious metals like golds, palladium, silverand platinum. This stack of metals, called a billet, can then be twisted, folded, carved, all by hand. This painstaking process results in rings that are as unique
The artistry behind mokume gane rings goes beyond aesthetics. The technique represents the blending of different elements—metals in this case—to form a harmonious whole. This perfectly reflects the concept of a union like a marriage, a strong bond forged to bring two people together and create something new.
Couples can further personalize mokume gane wedding ring sets by selecting the metal combinations and patterns that resonate with their relationship. This customization allows them to create rings that are not only visually stunning but also deeply meaningful. Arn’s mokume gane work especially offers a wide variety of options, as each of his patterns has a distinct look and are inspired by different elements of nature, so the individual can choose a pattern that most reflects their personality and style. Choosing different patterns but the same metal palette is one example of a way to create a cohesive set that doesn’t feel too matching, but clearly complements each other.
Read more
Bespoke, Heirloom, & Custom Made Mokume Billets
Posted by Susan Freda on
Sometimes customers come to us with beautifully complex ideas, designs based on special locations they have been to, or elements that have been calling to them. We love the art form of mokume and its vast possibilities in both palette and pattern. Arn especially loves to make exquisitely custom and exploratory work that would be impossible to recreate, making the ring even fully of an object d’ art. When the visions our clients have in mind for their rings fall outside of our stocked palette and pattern options, we create custom billets. This is an opportunity to personalize the design even further to their individual tastes.
The Billet
What’s a billet? A billet is the material that we create to make the rings from. It is layered precious metals bonded by a meticulous process of heat and pressure. Some makers of mokume purchase mokume billets from an outside source, but we make them from scratch, which allows for the greatest range of custom options. The sky's the limit and our craft inhabits the highest realm of making.
Why Custom?
Mokume by nature is inherently wild, we find this is key to the beauty of this art form, no two rings are ever going to be exactly alike, by both the nature of handmade work and of mokume gane itself.
With this in mind, variations in the appearance of our designs are to be expected, especially with the color palettes. So many elements affect this, of course the patterns, but also the size and width of the ring. For clients with a strong preference regarding the look of the colors (which metal color or type is most dominant in the rings, the thicknesses of the various layers), a custom billet can be a great option.
Custom billets do come with added cost and sometimes wait time, and we wanted to take you through the process to show the diligent and detailed work that goes into them. Each custom billet is assembled from scratch and created specifically to order.
The Process
We thought we might explain the process of making the custom billet so that our clients can see what goes into this endeavor.
1. Determining and ordering the metals - this begins during the design consultation process, choosing the metals and proportions, and then special ordering the necessary material.
2. Cutting the metal sheets to size - the metals arrive in thin sheets, and are cut down to the correct measurements to be made into a billet.
3. Cleaning the sheets - each piece of metal is carefully cleaned (this is essential for bonding the metals).
4. Pressing the billet - the sheets are stacked and pressed with the hydraulic press to create an initial bond.
5. Binding the billet - the billet is held together with binding wire to keep everything in place while firing.
6. Firing the billet - the billet is either torched or fired in the kiln.
7. Hot pressing the billet - straight from firing, still hot, the billet is pressed again in the hydraulic press.
8. Trimming the billet - the very edges of the billet are trimmed off to make everything perfectly square again.
9. Rolling and forging the billet to stock dimensions - the billet is gradually worked and shaped down to ring stock (it starts to resemble a long stick rather than a brick) so it’s at the correct dimensions to be made into a ring!
Making custom mokume pieces is always a labor intensive and demanding process, but we truly love the work and the opportunity to share this amazing craft with others.
Read more
Bespoke, Heirloom, & Custom Made Mokume Billets
Posted by Susan Freda on
Sometimes customers come to us with beautifully complex ideas, designs based on special locations they have been to, or elements that have been calling to them. We love the art form of mokume and its vast possibilities in both palette and pattern. Arn especially loves to make exquisitely custom and exploratory work that would be impossible to recreate, making the ring even fully of an object d’ art. When the visions our clients have in mind for their rings fall outside of our stocked palette and pattern options, we create custom billets. This is an opportunity to personalize the design even further to their individual tastes.
The Billet
What’s a billet? A billet is the material that we create to make the rings from. It is layered precious metals bonded by a meticulous process of heat and pressure. Some makers of mokume purchase mokume billets from an outside source, but we make them from scratch, which allows for the greatest range of custom options. The sky's the limit and our craft inhabits the highest realm of making.
Why Custom?
Mokume by nature is inherently wild, we find this is key to the beauty of this art form, no two rings are ever going to be exactly alike, by both the nature of handmade work and of mokume gane itself.
With this in mind, variations in the appearance of our designs are to be expected, especially with the color palettes. So many elements affect this, of course the patterns, but also the size and width of the ring. For clients with a strong preference regarding the look of the colors (which metal color or type is most dominant in the rings, the thicknesses of the various layers), a custom billet can be a great option.
Custom billets do come with added cost and sometimes wait time, and we wanted to take you through the process to show the diligent and detailed work that goes into them. Each custom billet is assembled from scratch and created specifically to order.
The Process
We thought we might explain the process of making the custom billet so that our clients can see what goes into this endeavor.
1. Determining and ordering the metals - this begins during the design consultation process, choosing the metals and proportions, and then special ordering the necessary material.
2. Cutting the metal sheets to size - the metals arrive in thin sheets, and are cut down to the correct measurements to be made into a billet.
3. Cleaning the sheets - each piece of metal is carefully cleaned (this is essential for bonding the metals).
4. Pressing the billet - the sheets are stacked and pressed with the hydraulic press to create an initial bond.
5. Binding the billet - the billet is held together with binding wire to keep everything in place while firing.
6. Firing the billet - the billet is either torched or fired in the kiln.
7. Hot pressing the billet - straight from firing, still hot, the billet is pressed again in the hydraulic press.
8. Trimming the billet - the very edges of the billet are trimmed off to make everything perfectly square again.
9. Rolling and forging the billet to stock dimensions - the billet is gradually worked and shaped down to ring stock (it starts to resemble a long stick rather than a brick) so it’s at the correct dimensions to be made into a ring!
Making custom mokume pieces is always a labor intensive and demanding process, but we truly love the work and the opportunity to share this amazing craft with others.