The Understated Beauty of Mokume Gane Minimalist Wedding Rings
Minimalism can be a necessity, particularly when it comes to wedding rings. There are a number of reasons why a couple would plump for minimalist wedding rings other than design. The jewelry you already wear, the size of your fingers, and perhaps just an uncomfortable feeling of weight can come into play.
But lack of canvas space can make minimalist wedding bands appear dull. However, with metal smithing processes such as that of mokume gane, you can turn minimalist wedding rings into understated but elegant stunning pieces of jewelry, envied by all who see them
What is a Minimalist Wedding Ring?
Minimalist wedding rings are about making a bolder statement with less. The majority of wedding bands are made to be between 5 – 10mm in width, whereas the diameter thickness of a minimalist wedding band will only be from under 2mm to 3 mm wide at most.
Although typically deeper or thicker, depending on how you would describe the thickness of the band’s metal, they generally use less material in their construction. However, particularly with complex and hand-crafted metal smithing that is required for the mokume gane process, this doesn’t necessarily make them less expensive.
Are Minimalist Wedding Rings Better?
Whether a minimalist wedding ring is superior to a traditionally shaped, wider-banded ring will depend very much on the wearer’s perspective. The determination of the choice of ring style usually rests on a number of factors.
Typically the design element will play an essential role in the choice, which can be enhanced because of the beautifully patterned depth of mokume gane wedding bands. It is possible that a potential couple is enthused about the unique patterning but also wants to portray a more understated and restrained image, which makes mokume gane minimalist wedding rings the perfect choice.
In addition, a minimalist band appeals to those who practice a minimalist aesthetic, where wide spaces, uncluttering, and clean lines are crucial.
Why Wear a Minimalist Wedding Ring?
The way a wedding band sits on a finger can also have considerable bearing on the decision to go for a minimalist wedding ring. Finger types differ significantly from person to person.
The thickness of a standard wedding band may not suit an individual who has short fingers, thin fingers, or generally small hands. In these cases, the band can look overbearing to the viewer and feel ‘clunky’ to the wearer. A minimalist wedding ring will make more sense for these individuals as they are delicate yet still stylish and incredibly elegant if the right ring design is chosen.
The number of rings that will be on your wedding finger, plus other ring jewelry that you are likely to wear, will also influence the choice of wedding band thickness.
Improved Sustainability
Choosing a minimalist wedding ring also helps with improved sustainability, and this means that the energy and material costs of production can be offset more easily.
Minimalist jewelry as a whole generally reduces the water, waste and energy that is required for the production process. It can also involve using recycled and reclaimed precious metals, which, in turn, can reduce the environmental and ethical impacts of mining.
Many of the most renowned metal smithing forges, using reclaimed metals where available and appropriate.
Mokume Gane Minimalist Wedding Rings
Minimalism might scream compromise in design, but it doesn’t have to with the right jewelry manufacture. A wedding ring is a statement piece, demonstrating to the viewer that this person is joined in a lifetime relationship.
Typically wedding bands have been uniform and plain and bringing minimalism to the ring at least adds a new dimension to the design aesthetic, says Jaume Labro.
However, by just reaching for the past, so much more can be achieved in infusing character and meaning into a wedding band. Rediscovering and employing some of the centuries-old smithing processes, such as that of mokume gane, completely changed the canvas of the ring.
What is Mokume Gane Metal Smithing?
Mokume gane is a four century-old Japanese metal smithing technique that involves the fusing of several different precious metals into a single band. The process evolved from that of the great samurai sword smiths who perfected a technique of laminating steel together to create the strongest and finest blade.
With mokume gane, the process has been adapted by master craftsmen with extensive knowledge of metallurgy, who combine billets (strips) of various precious metals such as yellow gold, rose gold, silver and platinum into one. During the hand-crafted process of twisting and carving, exquisite patterns, each unique, run through the band.
The forging of different metals together to create these unique patterns offers the symbolism of a lifetime commitment, the binding of metals representing two people and the uniqueness reflecting each couple’s individual love story.
Conclusion
The representation imbued in a wedding band makes a significant statement about the wearer. This might be carried through the chosen metal, or in the nature of design.
Minimalism pervades many people’s lives so for them to want to reflect it in their symbol of love and commitment makes sense. Minimalism though, doesn’t have to mean boring or uninspiring. Collaborating minimalism with metal smithing techniques such as mokume gane can create startling synergies that demonstrate a couple’s commitment and love for each other like no other wedding band.
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