January 24 Through February 4—TUCSON, ARIZONA: Annual show
Welcome to the GemologyOnline.com Forum
A non-profit Forum for the exchange of gemological ideas
It is currently Fri Mar 29, 2024 1:41 am

All times are UTC - 4 hours




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 34 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3  Next
Author Message
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Dec 06, 2008 11:58 am 
Offline
Valued Contributor

Joined: Sun Mar 11, 2007 10:03 pm
Posts: 341
Location: San Diego
Barbra Voltaire wrote:
I personally don't recommend rings that are made out of these trendy metals because they are simply trendy metals with NO intrinsic value. I don't find them appropriate for wedding rings.
Perhaps bicycle frames, but not wedding rings.


Hmm... well personally I do not really think of the value of a ring in any more context than what it is worth to me or the person whom it is meant for. While I certainly like traditional metals used to make wedding rings, I also appreciate the unique features of other materials. Most of my customers are looking for traditional options, but some come in looking for something different that may suit their tastes, personality and lifestyle better. For these people I would not hesitate to recommend titanium or tungsten carbide along with the information of the pros and cons of these metals (the same as I would for any material).

For example, my own wedding ring is made of Damascus steel. This is certainly not a traditional choice and its "intrinsic value" is definitely less than say gold or platinum, but for me the organic pattern of the metal, the durability of the material and the symbolism of the joining of the two separate alloys gives it much more value to me than a standard band. I have had both gold and platinum rings in the past and unfortunately I am simply to hard on my hands for them to hold up to daily wear and too lazy to take them off when engaging in rougher activities. They are now worn more occasionally when I am in situations that require more formal attire.

Again, all IMHO... :wink:

_________________
Paul Mattlin
Senior Manager, Online Education Division

* My posts are my own and do not reflect the opinions or policies of my employer


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 9:32 pm 
Offline
Gold Member

Joined: Sun Jun 28, 2009 9:56 am
Posts: 1284
yeh, damascus steels can be so much more beautiful than precious metals...

Image


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 9:43 pm 
Offline
Site Admin
User avatar

Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm
Posts: 21602
Location: San Francisco
Mokume techniques can be done with precious metals as well.
Image
This one is white gold, rose gold and paladium.

Image
This one 14k palladium white gold and sterling silver.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 9:46 pm 
Offline
Gemology Online Übergod
User avatar

Joined: Tue Aug 01, 2006 3:24 am
Posts: 4997
Location: McDonough GA
Those are gorgeous!

_________________
http://www.selectgem.com


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 9:03 am 
Offline
Gemology Online Übergoddess

Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 3:16 am
Posts: 3170
8) wow!! never seen anything like that in jewelry!! love it!!


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 10:30 am 
Offline
Site Admin
User avatar

Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm
Posts: 21602
Location: San Francisco
Click here for a little tutorial on Mokume Gane
The author, James E. Binnion, has also provideed this instructional .pdf link:
http://mokume-gane.com/Papers/SantaFePaper.pdf
Alan Revere has offered classes in the past and I believe it's also taught in the GIA's Jewelry Bench Classes.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 10:39 am 
Offline
Gemology Online Übergod
User avatar

Joined: Tue Aug 01, 2006 3:24 am
Posts: 4997
Location: McDonough GA
Thanks for the link Barbra, that's fascinating!

_________________
http://www.selectgem.com


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 11:10 am 
Offline
Gemology Online Übergoddess

Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 3:16 am
Posts: 3170
:) enjoyed reading about monkume gane-very interesting to read of the process!! thanks for the link, ms. b!!


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 1:42 pm 
Offline
Gemology Online Übergod
User avatar

Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2005 2:39 pm
Posts: 3528
Location: San Francisco Bay Area, CA
There are a number of designers that have pieces in some local mid-high jewelery stores. I've seen some very attractive stuff done, and there are a number of different "patterns" that can be made as well as the more abstract random effects.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 3:02 pm 
Offline
Gemology Online Übergoddess

Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 3:16 am
Posts: 3170
8) n00b,

would love to see more pieces if you don't mind providing the links to some other jewelers-particularly if they designed the pieces. :D

jan


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 3:54 pm 
Offline
Gemology Online Übergod
User avatar

Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2005 2:39 pm
Posts: 3528
Location: San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Joe Escobar Diamonds in Campbell, CA has some mokume gane in their store, but their website is lacking. Ida's Gems in Cupertino, CA used to have some stuff as well, but they appear to be no longer in business. I'll see if I can find anyone with some stuff online.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 5:02 pm 
Offline
Gemology Online Übergoddess

Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 3:16 am
Posts: 3170
:D thank you, gem-n00b!! 8)


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Nov 28, 2009 11:03 pm 
Offline
Gemology Online Veteran

Joined: Thu Jul 30, 2009 9:00 am
Posts: 545
Location: new york
Hi Gingerkid,

If you like mokume-gane (as in the ring with the champagne diamond Barbra posted), try James Binnion website:

www.mokume-gane.com.

I think he is known to make his own and experiment with different patterns and a mokume-gane master.

Have fun!

Lyric


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Nov 29, 2009 1:02 am 
Offline
Valued Contributor

Joined: Sun Mar 11, 2007 10:03 pm
Posts: 341
Location: San Diego
Being a very big fan of Mokume designs I try and keep track of the designers who work in this wonderful art. Here are just a few of the more well known designers:

Steve Midgett - http://www.mokume.com/
James Binnion - http://mokume-gane.com/
George Sawyer - http://www.georgesawyer.com/
Michael Daniels - http://www.mdmokume.com/
Andrew Nyce - http://www.andrewnycedesigns.com/
Krikawa - http://www.krikawa.com/

In regards to the GIA bench courses, they do not teach mokume in the standard course. However, one of the bench instructors (at least when I took the course a few years ago) did create mokume designs in his personal business and occasionally would instruct some of the students who were interested.

_________________
Paul Mattlin
Senior Manager, Online Education Division

* My posts are my own and do not reflect the opinions or policies of my employer


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Nov 29, 2009 2:39 pm 
Offline
Gemology Online Veteran

Joined: Wed Sep 09, 2009 12:06 pm
Posts: 509
dam it seems that someone stole my idea :lol:
love folded steel. it´s realy made from tahamagane?
prety but i didn´t trade any jewl in this world for this , the real deal
just amazing piece of art :P
Image
taken from http:// www.sho-shin.com/


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 34 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3  Next

All times are UTC - 4 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 7 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group
Gemology Style ported to phpBB3 by Christian Bullock