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Arn's Latest Mokume Work!

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Arn recently completed some beautiful custom orders featuring stones, so we wanted to share these and talk about different options for stone setting and showing off a statement stone!

When we think of a "traditional" engagement/wedding style, the prong setting easily comes to mind. While this is indeed a classic look, there are some downsides to a prong setting. One thing to keep in mind is that they tend to be higher profile and more vulnerable, making it more likely to get snagged or bumped. Prongs can also weaken over time, and usually require re-tipping to keep a stone secure. Considering this, we'd like to show you a few more hardy and unique (but still elegant) bezel setting styles that can be made to last just like the mokume itself!

A great option for larger and uniquely shaped stones is a bezel setting! Here we have a few different takes on that style that complement the aesthetic of the mokume while also providing protection and support for these stones.


This is a partial mokume bezel, it can also be done as a full bezel, surrounding the stone on all sides. It is created from a piece of mokume stock just like the main ring, and helps the setting feel like an extension of the band with the continuation of mokume patterning!
Here is an example of another partial bezel, but shown in a solid metal that complements the palette of the band. Bezels are also great for more unique stone shapes such as this elongated hexagon shaped sapphire! They can be custom made to wrap around different stones, and as shown here they can be done in the partial style to still show off more of the stone if desired.
Lastly, shown here is an example of our Mesa style setting. This is an excellent option if you are wanting something similar to a flush setting but with a larger stone! We can flush set stones up to 3mm wide, as any larger are usually too deep for the thickness of our bands. This setting looks great with our Guri Bori pattern as shown here, inspired by natural landforms of the western US.

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Arn's Latest Mokume Work!

Posted by Susan Freda on

Arn recently completed some beautiful custom orders featuring stones, so we wanted to share these and talk about different options for stone setting and showing off a statement stone!

When we think of a "traditional" engagement/wedding style, the prong setting easily comes to mind. While this is indeed a classic look, there are some downsides to a prong setting. One thing to keep in mind is that they tend to be higher profile and more vulnerable, making it more likely to get snagged or bumped. Prongs can also weaken over time, and usually require re-tipping to keep a stone secure. Considering this, we'd like to show you a few more hardy and unique (but still elegant) bezel setting styles that can be made to last just like the mokume itself!

A great option for larger and uniquely shaped stones is a bezel setting! Here we have a few different takes on that style that complement the aesthetic of the mokume while also providing protection and support for these stones.


This is a partial mokume bezel, it can also be done as a full bezel, surrounding the stone on all sides. It is created from a piece of mokume stock just like the main ring, and helps the setting feel like an extension of the band with the continuation of mokume patterning!
Here is an example of another partial bezel, but shown in a solid metal that complements the palette of the band. Bezels are also great for more unique stone shapes such as this elongated hexagon shaped sapphire! They can be custom made to wrap around different stones, and as shown here they can be done in the partial style to still show off more of the stone if desired.
Lastly, shown here is an example of our Mesa style setting. This is an excellent option if you are wanting something similar to a flush setting but with a larger stone! We can flush set stones up to 3mm wide, as any larger are usually too deep for the thickness of our bands. This setting looks great with our Guri Bori pattern as shown here, inspired by natural landforms of the western US.

Read more

Mokume Metals By Palette

Posted by Susan Freda on

We often get questions about metal palette colors, and we've noticed sometimes it seems unclear which metals are which, especially because the colors can look different in the context of different palettes! So we've created these diagrams of a few of our more popular palettes to help point out which metals are which. 
 

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Mokume Metals By Palette

Posted by Susan Freda on

We often get questions about metal palette colors, and we've noticed sometimes it seems unclear which metals are which, especially because the colors can look different in the context of different palettes! So we've created these diagrams of a few of our more popular palettes to help point out which metals are which. 
 

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Mokume Gane Engagement Rings!

Posted by Susan Freda on

Custom made mokume gane engagement rings

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Mokume Gane Engagement Rings!

Posted by Susan Freda on

Custom made mokume gane engagement rings

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What Metals Are used in Mokume Gane?

Posted by Susan Freda on

We offer two, three, and four stock metal combinations that use 14kt Yellow Gold, 14kt Red Gold, 14kt White Gold, Sterling Silver, and Palladium. My Mokume Gane jewelry involves any combination of these five metals, as the listings will picture. Custom combinations, or upgrades like 18k gold, can be done for an additional fee.

Any piece with Sterling Silver can also receive an oxidized finish, which is a surface treatment that darkens/blackens the silver. This treatment will wear off, but you can oxidize your own Mokume Gane jewelry at home and there are instructions on how to do this at the bottom of this guide.

Please note that we do not offer copper in our metal combinations. As much as we would like to offer copper in our metal palettes, copper unfortunately corrodes rapidly. A common occurrence you might’ve noticed after wearing copper jewelry is a green stain on your skin. Unfortunately, mixing copper and silver will cause the destruction of your ring and we want them to last you a lifetime!

All of my metals are responsibly sourced.

All of this info and more can be found on our guide page : https://www.susanfredastudios.com/pages/about-mokume-gane

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What Metals Are used in Mokume Gane?

Posted by Arn Krebs on

We offer two, three, and four stock metal combinations that use 14kt Yellow Gold, 14kt Red Gold, 14kt White Gold, Sterling Silver, and Palladium. My Mokume Gane jewelry involves any combination of these five metals, as the listings will picture. Custom combinations, or upgrades like 18k gold, can be done for an additional fee.

Any piece with Sterling Silver can also receive an oxidized finish, which is a surface treatment that darkens/blackens the silver. This treatment will wear off, but you can oxidize your own Mokume Gane jewelry at home and there are instructions on how to do this at the bottom of this guide.

Please note that we do not offer copper in our metal combinations. As much as we would like to offer copper in our metal palettes, copper unfortunately corrodes rapidly. A common occurrence you might’ve noticed after wearing copper jewelry is a green stain on your skin. Unfortunately, mixing copper and silver will cause the destruction of your ring and we want them to last you a lifetime!

All of my metals are responsibly sourced.

All of this info and more can be found on our guide page : https://www.susanfredastudios.com/pages/about-mokume-gane

Read more

Happy New year!

Posted by Arn Krebs on

 

We just want to take a moment to thank all of our loyal supporters for helping to make 2018 our best year yet!

Here is a shot of Sues' work installed in a clients home. oooh aaahhh. Arn is working on a new line of mokume made with luscious new metals and featuring some killer gemstones. Sue is working on a new body of porcelain and glass work which she will be exhibiting in a two person show in February at the Chazan Gallery with artist Allison Paschke. Stay tuned for dates and opening times! 

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Happy New year!

Posted by Susan Freda on

 

We just want to take a moment to thank all of our loyal supporters for helping to make 2018 our best year yet!

Here is a shot of Sues' work installed in a clients home. oooh aaahhh. Arn is working on a new line of mokume made with luscious new metals and featuring some killer gemstones. Sue is working on a new body of porcelain and glass work which she will be exhibiting in a two person show in February at the Chazan Gallery with artist Allison Paschke. Stay tuned for dates and opening times! 

Read more