Mokume Finishes

 MatteFinish

Our matte finish is accomplished by masking all the surfaces of the ring except for the mokume, and bead blasting the mokume with fine glass beads. This treatment results in a satin finish that absorbs light and helps the different colors of the mokume become apparent. It is recommended to accentuate mokume pattern. As with any finish, the bead blasted surface is extremely superficial and will show signs of wear. The ring will eventually take on a uniformly worn look.

High Polish

A high polish finish is a highly reflective mirror like surface that reflects the light. Because the mokume is bouncing the light back at you, the individual colors in the mokume are less apparent, and the mokume tends to appear uniform in color. In different lights, the individual colors may become more visible to the wearer. As with any finish, a high polish finish is extremely superficial and will show signs of wear. The ring will eventually take on a uniformly worn look, at which time the different colors will become more apparent. The high polish finish is easy to refresh with a polishing cloth or cream.

Etch

Etching gives mokume texture, and helps maintain the appearance of multiple metals as the surface of the ring becomes worn. Etching can only be accomplished on sterling bearing mokume. The sterling layer is chemically removed in small increments, thus resulting in a light, medium and heavy etch. You may request an etch on any mokume type made with sterling; however, Platinum, Summer, and Winter mokume require at least a light etch to enhance the color contrast between the metals. Tri-gold and Sahara do not contain platinum-sterling; therefore, they cannot be etched. There are three types of etching available:

Light Etch (LE): Removes a fine layer of sterling, adding very slight texture to the surface of the ring.

Medium Etch (ME): The width of the sterling stripes is reduced by about half, and there is greater texture than a light etch The overall appearance of the mokume becomes a little darker, as there is less white color proportionally.

Heavy Etch (HE): Removes most of the sterling from the surface of the ring, and

offers the greatest texture. The mokume also becomes darker in appearance, as the white color has been reduced by 95%. As there is very little sterling visible, ring cannot be darkened; thus it is also safe for wear in a pool and jacuzzi.

Note: Wine mokume is Champagne mokume with a heavy etch.

Darkened Mokume

Darkened Mokume is also available upon request. You may request darkening on any mokume type made with sterling, as long as it does not have a heavy etch. Tri-gold and Sahara do not contain sterling; therefore, they cannot be darkened. On the darkened mokume, the sterling in the ring is oxidized. This will wear off anywhere from a week to a month or more, depending upon the wearer. The mokume is easily re-darkened in a capful of fresh bleach if submerged for a short time.

Champagne Mokume, darkened

Platinum mokume, darkened