Mokume Gane is the ancient Japanese art of jewelry making or to be more precise it is an ancient art of metalsmithing. The development of modern jewelry making combined with this ancient ritual combines to make the most exquisite jewelry by forging different metals in a process called guri where different layers of metals are processed on top of one another and carved with magical designs to create a truly unique peace of jewelry.


Guri is an ancient process that was created in the art of woodwork where layers of different colored woods are placed on top of one another and glued together so that when the wood was carved the different colors came through and to show unique designs. The origin of this process was a Japanese region called Guri buri where they specialized in wood crafting for centuries and today with the aid of modern development this process has been combined using precious metals to make what is known as Mokume jewelry.


Mokume gane was the original pattern of the woodwork that translates into “wood eye grain” it is a design that encompasses several layering circular designs hence the name “wood eye”. When the process traveled across to the west in the 19th century the translation of the process became known as Mokume gain and therefore this became the generic name for the whole process and not just the design.


When this process was applied to metals the Guri people layered metals of platinum, copper and gold heating them in a furnish until the metals fused together then artists carved the most beautiful designs into the metal revealing the different hues of each metal creating the most exquisite patterns. This metal work back then was used on swords for the most elite ranking officers of the army today the process has been applied to jewelry making and has become very popular due to its beauty and magical history.


Mokume rings are very popular in the US today they have a reputation of fine art and craftsmanship together with and heir of history and ritual. Because each ring is hand made the patterns will vary from ring to ring making each piece unique and special in its own right.


Titanium is a popular metal used in Mokume Gane jewelry as it is both strong and beautiful. High grade carat gold can be used in layers with titanium as the titanium will keep the gold from bending as we know gold has to be mixed with a strong metal because it is too malleable on its own. Black titanium is used mostly then layered with yellow, rose or white gold and when carved the blackness of the titanium is revealed crating the most beautiful and unique designs.


You can experience the beauty and power of Titanium Mokume by visiting Titanium-Jewelry.com, an online showcase of fine jewelry. Unlike many others utilizing undesirable industrial alloys, their Titanium rings are made from 99+% commercially pure Titanium, the only choice for use in jewelry.


If you are interested in purchasing a piece of Mokume Gane jewelry then the Edward Mirell line provide a very exclusive line of black titanium Mokume gane jewelry with the finest designs and craftsmanship and the best quality metals available. They specialize in Mokume Gane jewelry and provide different lines including Timoku which consists of grey and black titanium layered together in the ways of the ancient Japanese traditions mirroring the styles and colors of the time making it very a historical and ethnic piece.