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Your Custom Mokume Gane Ring & The Beauty of Nature

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Mokume is a beautiful craft dating back to 17th century Japan for use in sword-making, characterized by a woodgrain like appearance of many layers of different metals fused together to make one piece. This specialized technique of successfully forging together sheets of metal into one billet so that they are bonded and structurally sound requires great skill and years of experience as a metalsmith. 


And with this method of creating and patterning rings by hand, either through forging or carving, there is an inherent variability to how the appearance of the ring will ultimately turn out! One of the things Arn loves about mokume and the practice of making it is that not all aspects of how the final ring will look is controllable, which makes each one truly unique. We know that you love this aspect of mokume as well.  Nature never makes the same thing twice and this is one of the most striking and under-recognized aspects of what we attribute beauty to. Much like life, handmade things are unpredictable and beautiful.  


When you order your ring with us there a few paths to consider. We can help you unravel the work of choosing by walking you through the process a bit here.  We offer Custom and  Bespoke options. 


To help you visualize, here's an example. These two rings are both 7mm wide, made in our Firestorm palette (14kt red gold, 14kt yellow gold, palladium and sterling silver) and Twist pattern, with a low dome profile and etched and oxidized finish. There is no difference in the metals used or the proportion of the metals in the billet used for each ring, but they each have little details and differences that make them unique and distinct from one another!

 

Firestorm in particular of all of our billets has a range of variation that can be more noticeable and less controllable, as it is a four color combination, rather than two or three. As in its name, this palette is meant to be a whirlwind of color all mixed together to echo the complex and mesmerizing varieties of nature. 



Custom vs. Bespoke 

Our bespoke options are studio-approved alterations to existing AKM designs. For example you love the pattern but would like a different stock pallet that we offer ; while custom orders are designed from the ground up! This requires much more communication time as well as time at the bench, than a bespoke alteration.  


Here are a few examples of custom designs. This can include custom patterns designed by Arn, a custom billet different from our usual stock options, a custom setting for an unusual stone, the possibilities are wide open!
 

We wish you all a happy holiday season and a bright new year, and look forward to continuing to create with you!

 

Much love,

Arn Krebs Mokume 

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Your Custom Mokume Gane Ring & The Beauty of Nature

Posted by Susan Freda on

Mokume is a beautiful craft dating back to 17th century Japan for use in sword-making, characterized by a woodgrain like appearance of many layers of different metals fused together to make one piece. This specialized technique of successfully forging together sheets of metal into one billet so that they are bonded and structurally sound requires great skill and years of experience as a metalsmith. 


And with this method of creating and patterning rings by hand, either through forging or carving, there is an inherent variability to how the appearance of the ring will ultimately turn out! One of the things Arn loves about mokume and the practice of making it is that not all aspects of how the final ring will look is controllable, which makes each one truly unique. We know that you love this aspect of mokume as well.  Nature never makes the same thing twice and this is one of the most striking and under-recognized aspects of what we attribute beauty to. Much like life, handmade things are unpredictable and beautiful.  


When you order your ring with us there a few paths to consider. We can help you unravel the work of choosing by walking you through the process a bit here.  We offer Custom and  Bespoke options. 


To help you visualize, here's an example. These two rings are both 7mm wide, made in our Firestorm palette (14kt red gold, 14kt yellow gold, palladium and sterling silver) and Twist pattern, with a low dome profile and etched and oxidized finish. There is no difference in the metals used or the proportion of the metals in the billet used for each ring, but they each have little details and differences that make them unique and distinct from one another!

 

Firestorm in particular of all of our billets has a range of variation that can be more noticeable and less controllable, as it is a four color combination, rather than two or three. As in its name, this palette is meant to be a whirlwind of color all mixed together to echo the complex and mesmerizing varieties of nature. 



Custom vs. Bespoke 

Our bespoke options are studio-approved alterations to existing AKM designs. For example you love the pattern but would like a different stock pallet that we offer ; while custom orders are designed from the ground up! This requires much more communication time as well as time at the bench, than a bespoke alteration.  


Here are a few examples of custom designs. This can include custom patterns designed by Arn, a custom billet different from our usual stock options, a custom setting for an unusual stone, the possibilities are wide open!
 

We wish you all a happy holiday season and a bright new year, and look forward to continuing to create with you!

 

Much love,

Arn Krebs Mokume 

Read more


Custom Mokume Gane Pattern Ring Process!

Posted by Susan Freda on

Arn just finished up this custom order, here are some behind the scenes of his process! Starting out with cutting and stacking the billet, to forming and forging the pattern.
This ring is a custom pattern request as well as a custom billet, with layers of varying thickness and a gentle wave look, resembling flowing water like a river. The billet is composed of palladium and 14kt yellow gold. 

Read more

Custom Mokume Gane Pattern Ring Process!

Posted by Susan Freda on

Arn just finished up this custom order, here are some behind the scenes of his process! Starting out with cutting and stacking the billet, to forming and forging the pattern.
This ring is a custom pattern request as well as a custom billet, with layers of varying thickness and a gentle wave look, resembling flowing water like a river. The billet is composed of palladium and 14kt yellow gold. 

Read more


To Oxidize or Not to Oxidize Your Mokume Gane Ring?

Posted by Susan Freda on

We offer a few different options for the finish of your mokume gane ring, and each offers a different look and quality. One of these options is oxidation, where the silver layers in a ring are darkened to increase the contrast between the metal colors! It’s great for those who want a bold, high contrast look, and makes the patterning stand out more.

Read more

To Oxidize or Not to Oxidize Your Mokume Gane Ring?

Posted by Susan Freda on

We offer a few different options for the finish of your mokume gane ring, and each offers a different look and quality. One of these options is oxidation, where the silver layers in a ring are darkened to increase the contrast between the metal colors! It’s great for those who want a bold, high contrast look, and makes the patterning stand out more.

Read more


Mokume Gane Engagement Rings!

Posted by Susan Freda on


Customized Handmade Mokume Gane

Posted by Susan Freda on

Mokume Gane with a twist....We customize almost all of our pieces to deliver something completely unique and one of a kind.  Clients call with ideas or images and we get started working out the details.  Many customers would like to remember something special in their lives.  The birth of a child, honeymoon landscape, a special location where they met... there are so many memorable parts of life and we are here to capture them for you into something that can be worn close to your heart.  

We often start with family heirlooms and work them into new treasured pieces or we  start fresh with metal and gems of your choosing.  We truly love making these special pieces for you and we are proud that you trust is us to honor your cherished moments.  

Who are we? We are a husband and wife team, a RISD artist and a skilled jeweler who are living the dream...making our art and making a living. Its hard work but worth it all!  Read our reviews or browse our work to get a feel for the work we create.  We look forward to working with you! 

Read more

Customized Handmade Mokume Gane

Posted by Arn Krebs on

Mokume Gane with a twist....We customize almost all of our pieces to deliver something completely unique and one of a kind.  Clients call with ideas or images and we get started working out the details.  Many customers would like to remember something special in their lives.  The birth of a child, honeymoon landscape, a special location where they met... there are so many memorable parts of life and we are here to capture them for you into something that can be worn close to your heart.  

We often start with family heirlooms and work them into new treasured pieces or we  start fresh with metal and gems of your choosing.  We truly love making these special pieces for you and we are proud that you trust is us to honor your cherished moments.  

Who are we? We are a husband and wife team, a RISD artist and a skilled jeweler who are living the dream...making our art and making a living. Its hard work but worth it all!  Read our reviews or browse our work to get a feel for the work we create.  We look forward to working with you! 

Read more