Michael Daniels

Mokume Gane: An ancient art form of fusing layers of precious metals to form a single piece with unique markings. (Mokume means wood grain, Gane means metal) It was used in decorative elements for Japanese swords. These fabulous pattern-welded steel blades constituted one of the highest art forms in Japan at the time and sold for a king's ransom in Europe.

Creating Mokume ha always been difficult, and nearly all the products on the market these days are wedding bands - a simple celebration of the material itself and the fine art of creating it. Michael Daniels offers rings, pendants, bracelets, and earrings in Mokume, seeking inspiration in nature. When it touches the skin, the colors change subtly according to the wearer's body chemistry, expressing each person's individuality. Thus every piece of Mokume Gane becomes, in a real sense, living jewelry- a process begun by the artist and continued by the wearer.