Our Blog

As the year comes to a close, we want to express our deep gratitude to our customers, admirers, and followers.   We love creating timeless, heirloom pieces for you and your loved ones.  Thank you for choosing Arn Krebs for your custom Mokume Gane pieces.   

   Every year comes with its lumps, so let’s be frank and talk about this year’s:  gold.  It’s no secret that the price of gold has skyrocketed over the last year.  Rising 60% in 2025, gold’s prices exceeded expert and analyst expectations when it hit over $4000 per ounce.  It surpassed our expectations, too.   Mokume Gane relies on precious metals like gold to create its layered, multi-colored and dimensional designs.  

    Aside from desirability, gold is special in the science of Mokume Gane.  Gold is a soft metal, which will form liquid phase diffusion bonds with other metals without completely melting. The higher the karat gold, the purer the form, and the softer the metal.  While 24 karat gold is not as durable as lower karat alloys, it is the most valuable.  The alloying metals in lower karat gold make it less expensive and more durable, but also less valuable and considerably harder to melt.  Getting the perfect alloys for each Mokume Gane design is both a science and an art.   After decades perfecting his craft, Arn has hit, well, gold.  

    While gold (and gold jewelry) will always be a good investment, historical market patterns suggest that the price per ounce for raw materials will not stay in the stratosphere forever.    Experts predict a decrease, and that will be a good thing for jewelry artists, and their customers.   

    In the meantime, we have to get creative. 

We’re working on proprietary new pieces and designs to bring costs down for our customers who are looking for quality Mokume Gane designs, at more mid-market pricing.  Stay tuned for updates!

    We use recycled materials whenever possible as an eco-conscious commitment to our environment.   If you have gold you would like to ‘upcycle’ into a Mokume Gane design, please Contact Us.  Not all items can be used for this purpose, but it may be a way to reduce material cost for your custom design. 

    Mokume Gane’s patterns reflect the beauty we see in nature:  grains of wood, waves in the water, swirls of wind-whipped snow.   These symbols were historically meant to bring peace to the wearer, and it is our hope that our unique designs will do just that.  Wishing you peace and wellness through the holiday season, and looking forward to an exciting 2026!

Our holiday gifts are stocked and ready for you!

We have created a small collection of ready to ship, limited edition pieces for your gift giving this year. We think that handmade objects, made to last a lifetime and then be handed down to your children, and your children's children, are the way to go. These are meant to be worn and cherished and enjoyed by the folks who mean so much to you. Our jewelry is made with recycled and reclaimed metals to be easy on the planet and is handmade with care and intention. Our work comes with a  lifetime guarantee and we are always here to refresh and to care for your pieces. 

Shop Gifts

These beauties are priced to sell and will sell out, so please plan accordingly. We are grateful to be already booked through the holidays for custom work but each of these pieces is pre-made and ready to ship. Please inquire.

Fresh from the bench, Arn's mokume animal menagerie is growing! 

This custom honey bee pendant is made from both our spark and ash palettes, and all hand crafted and fabricated with care. There is so much wonderful inspiration in the patterns of animals, and Arn is absolutely loving getting to explore them. 

Keep an eye out for more insects in the future!

See video of the fully finished pendant here on our instagram!

As the holidays approach you may have gift giving in your sights. Whether you’re shopping for someone you love or treating yourself, our Holiday Gift Guide is here to help you find an inspired treasure. 

This season, consider gifting something timeless: mokume gane jewelry. With its mesmerizing patterns and centuries-old craftsmanship, mokume gane offers a one-of-a-kind way to celebrate love, artistry, and individuality. You will also be supporting a US small business and one that uses recycled and responsibly sourced materials.

The Allure of Mokume Gane

Mokume gane — which translates to “wood grain metal” — is a traditional Japanese metalworking technique that dates back to the 17th century. It was originally developed to adorn samurai swords, blending strength with intricate beauty. Today, the same technique is used to create jewelry that’s still very much a unique and rare art form. 

Each piece is crafted by Arn by layering different precious metals — such as gold, silver, and palladium — and then fusing them together through heat and pressure. The result is a stunning, organic pattern that looks like flowing wood grain or rippling water. No two pieces are ever the same.

Creating mokume gane jewelry is both a science and an art. Arn carefully stacks and bonds layers of metal into a solid billet, which is then carved, twisted, and shaped to reveal the patterns that we envision to create these wearable works of art. The final result is a piece that feels alive — full of texture, movement, and meaning.

Why Mokume Gane Makes the Perfect Gift

Mokume gane jewelry isn’t just beautiful — it tells a story and holds a record of the work put into the piece. There is no hiding with mokume gane, the skill of the maker is evident in the finished work.  Each ring is individually handcrafted and one of a kind, symbolizing individuality and the beauty of nature. Whether it’s a ring, pendant, or pair of earrings, mokume gane is a timeless expression of love and craftsmanship that will be treasured for years to come.

Choosing the Perfect Piece

When selecting mokume gane jewelry, think about the recipient’s style:

• Palette: Warm tones like yellow gold and red gold create a rich, earthy feel, while silver, platinum, and palladium bring a cool, modern elegance.

• Patterns: Some designs are soft and flowing; others are bold and striking. Choose one that feels right for their personality.

Caring for Mokume Gane Jewelry

With a little care, mokume gane jewelry will last for generations.

• Mokume wears just like any gold ring, there is no special care needed. 

• Be mindful when working with steel weights or stone, as these materials are harder than gold and can damage your ring. 

• Should you want to re- oxidize your ring, we are able to do this for you at any time. We can also give you instructions on how to do it at home. 

A Gift of Timeless Elegance

Mokume gane jewelry is more than a beautiful accessory — it’s a celebration of craftsmanship, history, and individuality. Each piece carries with it a sense of artistry and skill that transcends trends.

This holiday season, give a gift that is unique. Explore the beauty of mokume gane jewelry, and share something truly one-of-a-kind with the people you love most.

Happy gifting — and happy holidays.

You're invited! 

As our studio is usually by appointment only, we wanted to have a special event to share inspiring new work. An opportunity to reconnect and hold and touch pieces in person.  Browse Sue and Arn's jewelry, sculpture and more in our Warren showroom. 

November 8, 3-6pm

30 Cutler Street, Suites 221 and 219