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Mokume Maker Insights - Why 14kt Silver in our Japanese Inspired Rings?

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We have noticed many questions lately regarding the quality and longevity of mokume rings that contain silver, so we wanted to take some time to talk about why we choose to include silver in our mokume palettes, and the benefits this metal brings to creating beautiful and heirloom quality rings.

One of the primary reasons we use silver is for visual contrast! Silver is able to be either the lightest or darkest color in a metal combination, and either option contrasts extremely well against the golds and palladium we use in our palettes.

Shown below here is the same ring, made in our Firestorm palette, but with two different finishes. It's amazing how different a ring can look just by darkening the silver layers with oxidation! The silver layers go from practically white to almost black in color.
Read more about our different finishes in this blog post.



Silver is also very ductile, it has great bonding and forging characteristics, both of which are very beneficial in making strong and stable mokume billets!


One of the core values of our business are to make mokume as affordable as possible for as many people as we can. We want to create high quality pieces at a reasonable price and keep mokume accessible when possible. Using silver layers helps greatly in lowering the production costs as opposed to making solely all gold mokume.


Will the silver layers oxidize/tarnish on their own?

No, with regular wear the silver should not oxidize on its own, silver actually only will change color if left to sit for extended periods of time or if exposed to chemicals like sulfur or chlorine! Well water may contain sulfur, so that would be something to watch for, but if your ring were to accidentally get oxidized it's very easy to remove. Any commercial silver cleaner can easily take it right off.





The silver layers also do not compromise the structural integrity of the ring or affect the wear. It takes more than a lifetime of wear to truly wear down metal enough to compromise a ring, and this applies to precious metals like gold too. Silver wears very well, and the silver in our rings is completely nickel free, as nickel sensitivity/allergy is very common, even often leading to people thinking they have a silver allergy, but really the culprit is the nickel content!

If you'd still prefer a silver free ring, we do offer all gold palettes! We have our Blaze and Cinders palettes, which are combinations of 18kt Yellow Gold, 14kt Red Gold and 14kt Palladium White Gold. Tri Color mokume and Tri Color all gold rings are two lovely options. 

We also offer custom billets if you want to create your own combination!


Read more

Mokume Maker Insights - Why 14kt Silver in our Japanese Inspired Rings?

Posted by Arn Krebs on

 

We have noticed many questions lately regarding the quality and longevity of mokume rings that contain silver, so we wanted to take some time to talk about why we choose to include silver in our mokume palettes, and the benefits this metal brings to creating beautiful and heirloom quality rings.

One of the primary reasons we use silver is for visual contrast! Silver is able to be either the lightest or darkest color in a metal combination, and either option contrasts extremely well against the golds and palladium we use in our palettes.

Shown below here is the same ring, made in our Firestorm palette, but with two different finishes. It's amazing how different a ring can look just by darkening the silver layers with oxidation! The silver layers go from practically white to almost black in color.
Read more about our different finishes in this blog post.



Silver is also very ductile, it has great bonding and forging characteristics, both of which are very beneficial in making strong and stable mokume billets!


One of the core values of our business are to make mokume as affordable as possible for as many people as we can. We want to create high quality pieces at a reasonable price and keep mokume accessible when possible. Using silver layers helps greatly in lowering the production costs as opposed to making solely all gold mokume.


Will the silver layers oxidize/tarnish on their own?

No, with regular wear the silver should not oxidize on its own, silver actually only will change color if left to sit for extended periods of time or if exposed to chemicals like sulfur or chlorine! Well water may contain sulfur, so that would be something to watch for, but if your ring were to accidentally get oxidized it's very easy to remove. Any commercial silver cleaner can easily take it right off.





The silver layers also do not compromise the structural integrity of the ring or affect the wear. It takes more than a lifetime of wear to truly wear down metal enough to compromise a ring, and this applies to precious metals like gold too. Silver wears very well, and the silver in our rings is completely nickel free, as nickel sensitivity/allergy is very common, even often leading to people thinking they have a silver allergy, but really the culprit is the nickel content!

If you'd still prefer a silver free ring, we do offer all gold palettes! We have our Blaze and Cinders palettes, which are combinations of 18kt Yellow Gold, 14kt Red Gold and 14kt Palladium White Gold. Tri Color mokume and Tri Color all gold rings are two lovely options. 

We also offer custom billets if you want to create your own combination!


Read more

New Diamond Tension Wood Grain Ring.

Posted by Arn Krebs on

Tension Set Diamond in Wood Grain 14kt yellow, 14kt red gold, and Silver Tri Color mokume

Read more

New Diamond Tension Wood Grain Ring.

Posted by Susan Freda on

Tension Set Diamond in Wood Grain 14kt yellow, 14kt red gold, and Silver Tri Color mokume

Read more

Sue's Studio News

Posted by Susan Freda on

There are plans brewing for an open studio event this summer for Sue's work. If you would like to receive an invite to this special event please inquire. Space will be limited.
Two dazzling sculptural forms are en route to Gallery 1871...if you are in the Chicago area please stop in!
Find these pieces of Sue's in Gallery 1871 (Chicago Art Source Gallery) this summer!

Pictured above, "Forma 2" woven sculpture.

Pictured above "Forma Interior Exterior" woven sculpture.

 

Read more

Sue's Studio News

Posted by Susan Freda on

There are plans brewing for an open studio event this summer for Sue's work. If you would like to receive an invite to this special event please inquire. Space will be limited.
Two dazzling sculptural forms are en route to Gallery 1871...if you are in the Chicago area please stop in!
Find these pieces of Sue's in Gallery 1871 (Chicago Art Source Gallery) this summer!

Pictured above, "Forma 2" woven sculpture.

Pictured above "Forma Interior Exterior" woven sculpture.

 

Read more

The Guri Bori Textured Mens Ring

Posted by Susan Freda on

 

 Guri Bori is one of Arn's signature patterns, inspired by the beautiful landforms and patterns found in the western US, where he grew up. The name of the pattern actually comes from further back in history and is related to the origin of Mokume Gane itself, Japanese inspired rings from the metalsmithing technique involving alternating many different color metals and carving curves and spiral patterns inspired by lacquer work in China.

 They explained the history of Guri Bori in this published text which we will link to here: © Hiroko Sato Pijanowski & Gene Michael Pijanowski

 Arn's Guri Bori is a carved style pattern, executed in a similar way as the Wood Grain metal pattern, but with emphasis on creating a 3-D surface and texture.
One of the most unique aspects of this pattern is how customizable it is! Arn is able to create many different variations with his carving.
 
For example, this ring was carved specifically to resemble a topographic map of a trail very sentimental to the customers! This was a very subtle way to add a personal touch and make the pattern feel special just for them. 
This bypass style ring is another great example of how one can customize the Guri Bori pattern, this ring's pattern has been made to be reminiscent of oceanic textures and forms. It turned out feeling very much like the shell of an oyster where this pearl would have come from!


Read more

The Guri Bori Textured Mens Ring

Posted by Arn Krebs on

 

 Guri Bori is one of Arn's signature patterns, inspired by the beautiful landforms and patterns found in the western US, where he grew up. The name of the pattern actually comes from further back in history and is related to the origin of Mokume Gane itself, Japanese inspired rings from the metalsmithing technique involving alternating many different color metals and carving curves and spiral patterns inspired by lacquer work in China.

 They explained the history of Guri Bori in this published text which we will link to here: © Hiroko Sato Pijanowski & Gene Michael Pijanowski

 Arn's Guri Bori is a carved style pattern, executed in a similar way as the Wood Grain metal pattern, but with emphasis on creating a 3-D surface and texture.
One of the most unique aspects of this pattern is how customizable it is! Arn is able to create many different variations with his carving.
 
For example, this ring was carved specifically to resemble a topographic map of a trail very sentimental to the customers! This was a very subtle way to add a personal touch and make the pattern feel special just for them. 
This bypass style ring is another great example of how one can customize the Guri Bori pattern, this ring's pattern has been made to be reminiscent of oceanic textures and forms. It turned out feeling very much like the shell of an oyster where this pearl would have come from!


Read more

News from the Studio!

Posted by Arn Krebs on

Find Sue's Work at These Galleries This Summer


You can find Sue's work at Patricia Rovzar Gallery in beautiful downtown Seattle, WA. At home at the gorgeous and beachy Charlestown Gallery, in Florida at Rosenbaum Contemporary, Art Source in Chicago, Jules Place in Boston, and at the Shayne Gallery in Montreal.



Sue will be exhibiting by invitation in a summer Fiber Art Show "Tensions: New Directions in the Fiber Art World" at the Bristol Art Museum. Reception Monday August 7th, 6-8pm.

If you are local we hope you will pop in!


Sue recently had an interview with Canvas Rebel Magazine on the process of becoming an Artist. Here's a link to that interview.

 

Pictured below: Ocean Front Dress;"Mare Frons" and above, Glowing Glass;"Candenti Vitro"

 Watch the process here as Sue adds resin and metal powders to her latest dress!

Read more

News from the Studio!

Posted by Susan Freda on

Find Sue's Work at These Galleries This Summer


You can find Sue's work at Patricia Rovzar Gallery in beautiful downtown Seattle, WA. At home at the gorgeous and beachy Charlestown Gallery, in Florida at Rosenbaum Contemporary, Art Source in Chicago, Jules Place in Boston, and at the Shayne Gallery in Montreal.



Sue will be exhibiting by invitation in a summer Fiber Art Show "Tensions: New Directions in the Fiber Art World" at the Bristol Art Museum. Reception Monday August 7th, 6-8pm.

If you are local we hope you will pop in!


Sue recently had an interview with Canvas Rebel Magazine on the process of becoming an Artist. Here's a link to that interview.

 

Pictured below: Ocean Front Dress;"Mare Frons" and above, Glowing Glass;"Candenti Vitro"

 Watch the process here as Sue adds resin and metal powders to her latest dress!

Read more