(PRESS RELEASE) LEOMINSTER, MA — Chris Ploof, designer and founder of Chris Ploof Designs, announced that he will be giving a live in-person presentation on Mokume Gane at the Atlanta Jewelry Show on Saturday March 15, 2025 at 11:30 am and again on Sunday, March 16th at 10 am at the Cobb Galleria Centre. Chris will focus his lecture on Mokume Gane, an ancient Japanese metalworking technique that involves fusing metals in a layered design resembling the natural grains in wood.
“I am honored to be one of the speakers at the Bench Fusion event at the Atlanta Jewelry Show,” says Ploof. “I’ve always enjoyed this show and am excited to be returning and bringing my passion for Mokume Gane with me. It is a pleasure to share the history and techniques for making this amazing and beautiful metal.”
Mokume Gane loosely translates to ‘wood grain metal’ in Japanese. Its history dates back to ancient times in Japanese culture. Numerous layers of precious metals are bonded into a single billet using the time-honored technique of applying heat and pressure. The billet is then transformed into exquisite patterns using the various tools in Chris Ploof’s studio to smash, twist, bend, and fold the metal. Ploof, as a master metalsmith, will delve into the fascinating world of Mokume Gane, both its historical and modern-day applications. Attendees can expect to learn about the intricate techniques used in crafting Mokume Gane and how Chris incorporates them into his award-winning designs.
To view the presentation in person, register for the Atlanta Jewelry Show. For more information on Chris Ploof and his Mokume Gane work, visit chrisploof.com. To see his Mokume Gane rings, click here.
