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Guarantees and Policies
Are your rings guaranteed?
What is your return policy?
What payment methods are available?
Metals used in mokume rings
What metals are used in your mokume gane rings?
Why don't you use copper or shakudo in your mokume gane rings?
Why do you use 3.5% platinum sterling silver?
What is Palladium White Gold?
Is 18k gold softer than 14k gold?
Finishes for Mokume-gane Rings
Why are your rings etched?
What kinds of finishes do you offer?
Why don't you use tarnished (blackened) silver in your rings?
Purchasing Considerations for Mokume-gane Rings
Will my ring look like the one in the picture?
Do I need a liner?
How do I know that the ring will fit?
How can I see a sample ring?
Q. Are your rings guaranteed?
A. All rings are guaranteed to be free of any defects due to
materials or workmanship. Rings subject to harsh chemicals
or abuse are not covered.
Q. What is your return policy?
A. All unworn rings may be returned within 10 business days.
Certain patterns, metals, profiles and widths are returnable
without a restocking fee. Shipping is non-refundable. Other
rings are returnable with a 10% restocking fee.
Q. What payment methods are available?
A. You will be invoiced through Paypal. You can then enter your credit card info.
Q. Will my ring look the same as the one in the picture?
A. The over all look will be the same. Mokume-gane is always one of
a kind because there are variations in the details of the patterning.
For example, in the twisted pattern rings, certain characteristics
will always be the same, such as the number of layers, the metals
used, and the general tightness of the twists. Subtle details will
be different in each ring, such as the curves in the lines.
Q. What metals are used in your mokume gane rings?
A. I use 18k yellow gold, 14k palladium white gold,
14k red gold and 3.5% platinum sterling silver for my traditional patterns. .
See my seamless page for metal combos offered in Seamless Patterns.
Q. Why don't you use copper or shakudo in your mokume gane rings?
A. Copper or Shakudo, which is often 96% copper, are light pink colored metals.
They become black with chemical treatment. The patina will wear off and may or
may not be naturally regenerated. Copper and shakudo have a good chance of
etching deeply over time.
Q. Why do you use 3.5% platinum sterling silver?
A. Platinum sterling silver contains 92.5% pure silver and 3.5% pure platinum.
It is harder and more tarnish resistant than traditional sterling silver.
Platinum sterling silver can be etched back to enhance the pattern and
give texture.
Q. What is Palladium White Gold?
A. Palladium white gold is alloyed with palladium (a platinum
family metal). It is darker than white gold usually seen in
jewelry stores which is alloyed with nickel. White gold with
nickel has a noticeable yellow tint and is plated with Rhodium
(a platinum family metal) to give it a very white color. This
will eventually wear off and the ring will have to be re-plated.
I use palladium white gold because of it's color and it's working
properties.
Q. Is 18k gold softer than 14k gold?
It depends on the color. Below is a list of golds by color and
karat with their hardness ratings. I have included other metals
for comparison.
Color and karat Vickers Hardness
14k royal yellow . . . . . . . . 195
14k yellow 140
18k royal yellow . . . . . . . . 125
18k yellow 155
14k palladium white . . . . . . . 150
18k palladium white 130
14k red . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
18k red 195
Platinum952 with ruthenium . . . 130
Fine silver 100% silver 35
Sterling silver . . . . . . . . 75
Platinum Sterling(3.5% platinum) 90
24k pure gold . . . . . . . . . . 30
Q. Do I need a liner?
A. You only need a liner if you are allergic to one of the metals.
used in your ring. I only use metals in my mokume which are ideal for every day wear.
Q. How do I know that the ring will fit?
A. Our rings are guaranteed to be the size that you order.
You should have your finger sized for the profile and width
that you select. I will mail sizer rings in your size and
1/4 size smaller and larger. Comfort fit bands feel looser
than flat bands.
Q. How can I see a sample ring?
A. You may request to have a sample ring mailed to you.
Q. Why are your rings etched?
A. Etching changes the look of a mokume gane ring by defining the
pattern and adding texture.
Silver is etched by placing a finished ring in a solution, which disolves the
silver, but does not affect golds or palladium. The deepness of the etch is
controlled by how long the ring is left in the solution. Etching can be very
light, medium or deep.
Q. What kinds of finishes do you offer?
A. All of our mokume gane rings are matte finished and some are etched.
If you would like a polished ring, it should be ethced to show the pattern.
Q. Why don't you use tarnished (blackened) silver in your rings?
A. When silver is tarnished to black, the tarnish is only on the surface.
Because rings are high wear items the blackened tarnish will wear off. Traditional
sterling silver with 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper will likely remain tarnished if
not cleaned, but the tarnish will not be close to the dark black color that can be
achieved with chemicals.
© 2004-2013 Deborah Olague Mokume | 510-227-0628
Jewelry designer specializing in the ancient art of mokume gane.
