The traditional Japanese metalworking technique of mokumé gane involved the lamination and patterning of copper, gold and silver alloys to each other for the decorative embellishment of the samurai sword. Mokumé gane as a studio metalsmithing technique has undergone a renaissance in the past 30 years. The technique has been updated with modern equipment and an improved understanding of metallurgy. Modern lamination methods allow the goldsmith to laminate metals that were not possible, or even known of, in feudal Japan. This paper will discuss one such combination; it will explore the lamination of pure iron to both gold and platinum to create patterned laminates for use in jewelry.

Author: James Binnion