Mokume Care
DIY Maintenance for Wood-Grain Metal Rings
Mokume gane rings are designed to be worn and enjoyed every day. Because mokume is made from layered precious metals with unique textures and finishes, your ring will naturally develop subtle changes over time with regular wear. Fortunately, most surface changes are easy to refresh, and with proper care, your mokume jewelry can remain beautiful for generations.
Matte and Etched Finish
There is very little to do to care for a matte-and-etched mokume ring. Upon arrival, your ring has a bead-blasted finish, similar to sandblasting, created only with glass beads. This leaves a slightly pockmarked finish that absorbs light, giving it a matte appearance.
Any finish on precious metals is superficial, i.e., a superfine texture on the surface of the metal. As this surface is rubbed or pressed by other materials (like pots and pans, door handles, purse handles, steering wheels, etc.), it will slowly take on a "worn" appearance; the pockmarks will smooth out.
We do everything possible to work-harden the surface to create the longest-lasting finish possible; however, precious metal is no match for repeated contact with everyday activities.
While you might not be able to bead-blast your ring at home, you can bring back the matte, light-absorbing finish with a simple technique that does not remove any metal. If you have a simple mokume band without stones or any other features, a nice way to refresh the surface is to take a small square of Scotch-Brite (the green scouring pad available at the grocery, drug, or hardware store), soften it up in water and soap, and run it gently around the ring. This will help refresh the metal and make the colors stand out again.
Of course, you are always welcome to send in your ring for a fully refreshed surface!
How to Darken Mokume
Mix a capful of fresh bleach with 1/4 cup hot water in a small glass. Submerge the ring for a minute or two until the desired darkness is achieved. This is only possible on mokume that has a layer of sterling in it. Do not bleach-dip jewelry that contains pearls and soft porous stones like emeralds, opals, aquamarines, tanzanite, garnets, coral, turquoise, tourmaline, quartz, topaz, and beads. Bleach dipping jewelry is safe for diamonds, sapphires, alexandrite, and spinel.
How to Avoid & Remove Darkening on Sterling-Bearing Mokume
Darkened sterling occurs in a few scenarios: when the jewelry is worn in a pool or jacuzzi, when the ring comes into contact with bleach and some sunscreens, and when the skin pH is at an uncommon level. Avoid exposing your ring to these conditions. To remove the darkening, refinish the ring according to its finish type (see above). If this does not work, you may wait a couple of weeks for the surface to return to its natural state or return the ring to Krikawa for professional refinishing. If this is recurring and bothersome to you, or if you prefer to wear your ring when swimming, you may prefer a non-sterling mokume or a heavy etch.
