5 of the most commonly asked questions around Mokume Gane

What is Mokume Gane?

Mokume Gane is the traditional Japanese art of layering, fusing and patterning different metals by hand. Originating in the late 1600s, the technique was originally used for parts of the handle of a Samurai sword. The merging of various metals creates a colourful striped pattern that resembles a topographical map, each with its own unique swirls and twists. 

Mokume Gane translates closely to ‘wood-grain metal’ as the appearance of the merged metals often resembles the knots of the natural wood grain. 

The quality and amount of decoration like Mokume Gane on a sword handle would indicate a Samurai’s wealth and status within society. Just as intricate as the social customs of 1600’s Japanese society, the Mokume Gane technique requires highly skilful training and attention to detail. That’s why Jason Ree is one of the only jewellers in Australia who specialises in Mokume Gane pieces.

 How do you make a Mokume Gane ring?

It’s a highly labour-intensive process but the gorgeous final result makes it more than worth it! 

It begins with clamping around 10-30 layers of chosen metals between steel blocks and heating the resulting stack in a kiln set to just the right temperature, allowing the layers to fuse but not to melt. This results in these beautiful unbroken layers.

We then take the resulting billet of metal and hand-forge the unique patterns. Finally, we shape, forge and polish the newly merged metals into the desired piece of jewellery by hand. A single Mokume Gane ring can take up to 8 hours to create. It is a labour of love, one that makes mokume-gane a popular choice for male wedding bands.  

 What metals are used in Mokume Gane?

Traditional components of Mokume Gane are relatively soft metallic elements and alloys such as gold, copper and silver, to allow the metals to bond to each other without melting. Non-ferrous metals (no iron) are used.

 At Jason Ree, we offer the largest selection of mokume-gane colour combinations in the world, using premium metals for our materials. Popular metals chosen by our customers include Rose Gold, Palladium, Yellow Gold, Green Gold and Silver for a brilliant and unique finish. 

 Why should I choose Mokume Gane?

Mokume Gane wedding rings have seen a huge rise in popularity over the past few years, alongside other Mokume Gane jewllery like cuff links, engagement rings, earrings and necklaces, and it’s not hard to see why.

 The entirely bespoke process of creating Mokume Gane means that no two pieces are the same. The hand-forged intricate patterns are just as unique as every wearer. The forging of the elements and the hardships of the crafting process makes Mokume Gane a stellar choice for our male clientel who want a piece with character, with story, with power. Every part of the authentic Mokume Gane process is visible in the final product, just as it was in the swords of medieval Japan.

 Jason Ree sees Mokume Gane like marriage, as a powerful story of union.  Just like a marriage brings two individuals together and unites their strengths, weaknesses and personalities, Mokume Gane brings metals together to create something equally beautiful.

Can I customise a Mokume Gane? 

Absolutely. The bespoke process allows us to take your ideas and inspirations, build concepts into reality and hand-craft your piece into physicality.

 You can choose from an array of metals, the type of pattern you like and the shape and style of the finished ring to create your dream piece. Our expert craftsmanship will make sure the ring is perfectly sized and suited to your finger. There is even the option to embed gemstones in the Mokume Gane. 

Mokume Gane is the perfect metaphor of union, of love and of strength. Explore more about this beautiful technique here or book your design conversation today with Jason Ree Jewellery.