Mokume Gane
Is a Japanese metalworking procedure which produces a mixed-metal laminate with distinctive layered patterns, as well as that laminate effect. Mokume-gane translates closely to "wood grain metal" or "wood eye metal" and describes the way metal takes on the appearance of natural wood grain.
Several layers of differently coloured precious metals are layered together to form a sandwich of alloys called a "billet." This billet is then manipulated in such a way that a pattern resembling wood grain emerges over its surface. Numerous ways of working the billet of fused metal layers create diverse patterns. Once the metal has been rolled into a sheet or bar, several techniques are used to produce a range of effects.
Currently Firedrake Jewellery uses bought in sheet or billet of Argentium Silver/Sterling Silver and Copper which have been layered together to form the patterned mixed alloy sheets. It is usually backed with sterling or fine silver so that the copper is not likely to touch your skin.