Q. Can you do rush orders?

A. Yes, but there is an additional charge and even our rush order slots get filled up.

Q. Are mokume rings resizable?

A. Yes, but we recommend that you send them to us.

A. The best way is to send it back to us.  Alternately, most jewelers could do this for you.  However,  have them call us so we can tell them how to do this without cutting the band.

Q. Are these rings resizable by ordinary methods, or would this damage the composition of the ring?

A. Yes, we can size the ring up or down a full size, but this may require refinishing the ring to restore the etched texture and finish.

Q. Can you convert European ring sizes?

A. Yes, European or Japanese!

Q. Does the comfort fit band differ from a standard band?

A. Yes, they feel just a bit looser and we compensate for this by making them slightly smaller.

Q. Do you have a brochure available?

A. All of our information is currently online.  If there is anything else you need, please call us at 800 374-6423.

Q. What payment method can we use?

A. When you place your order, a $100 non-refundable deposit is charged to your MasterCard or Visa.  The balance is charged when we finish your ring.  If you prefer  you can pay with a check, but we need to have it several weeks in advance of your delivery date.

Q. Is the price listed for one ring or a pair?

A. The prices listed on our website are per ring.

Q. Do the prices fluctuate with the market prices of the metals?

A. Somewhat, but not on a daily or even weekly basis, unless the metals market really does a big swing.

Q. What is the cost of shipping overseas?

A. The shipping will run about $60 to European Union, and a bit more to Asia.  Also, you should check with customs officials in your country to see if there will be any import fees or taxes.

Q. Do you ship rings  to Canada, and if so, are the prices you quote in American funds?

A. Prices are in US dollars.  We ship to you via US mail and you are responsible for all duty and or taxes when you receive the ring.

Q. Can you ship to foreign countries via Federal express or UPS?

A. These carriers do not offer insurance for jewelry items to many countries.  The best way is usually by international insured mail service.

Q. Are you able to add a standard diamond setting for a solitaire diamond to one of your regular bands?

A. Yes, our bands can be customized to include a stone in any type of setting you prefer. We can also provide certified diamonds at very competitive prices! You can work with us directly or make arrangements with a local goldsmith to modify the band we supply.

Q. Can you please explain the benefits of “flush” setting?

A. This is a very secure way of setting stones, because there are no prongs to get pulled away from the stone. It also is a very comfortable ring to wear, since there are not any prongs to catch on clothing or to scratch.

Q. Does this decrease the sparkle of a diamond?

A. This does not affect the sparkle of a diamond.  There is a common misconception that a diamond’s sparkle comes from the light entering in the bottom, or pavilion of the stone.  The brilliance of a diamond actually comes from the light that enters the top (table) of the stone and is reflected and refracted back out of the top of the diamond. T o do this effectively, it is very important that the diamond be cut to within very close tolerances for the proper angles of all the facets of a diamond.   This is what makes "Ideal Cut" diamonds more desirable and expensive.

Q. I am curious to know if you offer any other metal combinations other than the ones listed on your site?

A. The combinations listed on our web site are the only ones we offer.   Because we make large billets of the mokume it is not cost efficient to make just a couple of bands in a different combination.

Q. I would like to see platinum and white gold.  Is this possible?

Q. The pictures that you have for platinum and gold rings look quite different.  One looks as if the platinum is dominant where the other looks as if it is more than 50%. How are the different metals proportioned?

A. All of our rings are about 50 - 50 visually, but there are slight variations due to the way the patterning process exposes the metals.

Q. I have seen other Mokume-Gane wedding bands that use three or more materials.  Do you use three or more materials in your wedding band designs?

Q. How many layers do you typically use In your bands?

A. Usually between 12 and 20 layers.

Q. In the photos it looks as if each band has a slight texture to the surface.  Is this true?

A. Yes, all of our rings now have a texture which is acid etched into the surface of the ring.

Q. Is the purpose of the etch to accentuate the border between the similarly colored metals?  And is the effect simply to add a little ridge between the metals?

A. Yes.  The texture helps define the pattern and colors and adds another dimension to the designs.

Q. Which rings are etched?

A. All of our rings are etched.

Q. Can I order my rings with a smooth surface and no etch?

A. Yes.

Q. Why don’t your rings have a high polish finish on them?

A. A high polish finish is a highly reflective surface, where as our standard finish is the soft matte finish that you see on the website.  I recommend the matte finish as the colors of the metals show up better like this.  We can put a high polish finish on your ring as an alternative to our matte finish,  but we do not recommend it because it does not show the colors of the metals.

Q. If the ring was polished, would that increase or decrease the contrast in metals observable?

A. Decrease the contrast.

Q. Is there any special care I should take with this ring, such as cleaners to use or avoid.  Also, I have already managed to get a few rub marks and small scratches on the ring from everyday wear.  Can these be buffed out periodically? If so, is this something I can get done locally?

A. As for the scratches (they are probably burnish marks) your ring will go through an awkward period of about a month where it will change from our uniform matte finish to the uniformly scratched/burnished look of a well-worn ring.  Don't worry, just be patient.  Its a bit like the adjustment period for newlyweds, it takes a little while for things to smooth out and find a new and different level of being.

Q. I work outdoors in the garden etc., and want a ring that will hold up on a working man's hands.  What do you think about the durability of your rings?

Q. We like the look of the sterling silver and palladium rings, and the 18K white and silver rings, but are concerned that the silver will tarnish or oxidize.   Is this true or will the bands require any special care?

A. The sterling silver in our mokume bands acts just like any other sterling ring.  For most people this is not an issue.  If you have had problems with silver in the past, these most likely will do the same.  The palladium and white gold will not change and no special care is required.

Q. We both live an active lifestyle, and were wondering what effect if any perspiration might have on the sterling/palladium mokume ring combination in terms of tarnish?

A. As far as tarnishing goes, it’s really an individual body chemistry kind of thing.  However, if you order the sterling and palladium,  you should be prepared for that possibility.  Mokume rings will hold up as well as any other band.  Plus they have the advantage of wearing in a way that accentuates the pattern of the mokume. Common chemicals found in cleaning solutions and swimming pools can also affect sterling silver.

Q. Do you ever rhodium plate your rings?  If so, what effect would this have on the sterling/tarnish problem, as well as the "etched" look of the mokume rings?

A. Rhodium plating is not really an option.  One of the nice things about silver is that it is the whitest metal in nature, and this creates a good contrast with the palladium.  Rhodium is much darker, and besides, on a ring the plating eventually wears off.

Q. What is the difference between the “Star” and “Twist” Classic designs?

A. The pattern of the mokume is what is different.  Both are based on classic metalworking patterns that have been used in mokume work and Damascus steel swords and knives for hundreds of years.  The Star pattern is more formal with a 4-pointed star or cross form that repeats 3 or 4 times around the ring.  Areas of diagonal lines separate the stars.  The Twist pattern also has 3 or 4 repeating design elements separated by diagonal lines.  However, the pattern is more freeform and organic which makes it look a bit more like woodgrain.

Q. What about the Terra rings; how are they different from the classic bands?

A. The Terra bands are even more organic looking than the Classic Twist bands.  All sides of the ring are different with a busy "wood burl" looking area on one side flowing into quieter swirling pattern on the other, then back around to the more detailed area.

Q. Do you offer any discounts for jewelers?

A. No.  Currently we only sell via our website and are not accepting wholesale orders.