Events & AwardsJan 28, 2025
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Chris Ploof To Teach Mokume Gane at AJS
The jewelry designer and master metalsmith will present on the ancient Japanese metalworking technique at the Atlanta Jewelry Show in March.
Mokume Gane is an ancient Japanese metalworking technique where metals are fused in a layered design that resembles the natural grain of wood. Seen here are six of Chris Ploof’s hand-forged Mokume Gane rings created using the technique.
Leominster, Mass.—Chris Ploof, founder and designer of Chris Ploof Designs, will be giving a presentation on the metalworking technique known as Mokume Gane at the upcoming Atlanta Jewelry Show.
During the two-day show, located at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, Georgia, Ploof will host two live in-person demonstrations as part of the Bench Fusion event.
The first session will occur on March 15 at 11:30 a.m. and the second on March 16 at 10 a.m.
His lecture will focus on Mokume Gane, which translates to “wood grain metal,” an ancient Japanese metalworking technique where metals are fused together in a layered design that resembles the natural grain of wood.
The process begins by bonding numerous layers of precious metals into a single billet by applying heat and pressure. Ploof then turns the billet into a pattern by using tools to smash, twist, bend, and fold the metal.
A master metalsmith and two-time winner of the Santa Fe Symposium’s (now The Jewelry Symposium) Industry Leader Award, Ploof will also delve into both the historical and the modern-day applications of the technique.
“I am honored to be one of the speakers at the Bench Fusion event at the Atlanta Jewelry Show,” said 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.”
Related stories will be right here …
During the two-day show, located at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, Georgia, Ploof will host two live in-person demonstrations as part of the Bench Fusion event.
The first session will occur on March 15 at 11:30 a.m. and the second on March 16 at 10 a.m.
His lecture will focus on Mokume Gane, which translates to “wood grain metal,” an ancient Japanese metalworking technique where metals are fused together in a layered design that resembles the natural grain of wood.
The process begins by bonding numerous layers of precious metals into a single billet by applying heat and pressure. Ploof then turns the billet into a pattern by using tools to smash, twist, bend, and fold the metal.
A master metalsmith and two-time winner of the Santa Fe Symposium’s (now The Jewelry Symposium) Industry Leader Award, Ploof will also delve into both the historical and the modern-day applications of the technique.
“I am honored to be one of the speakers at the Bench Fusion event at the Atlanta Jewelry Show,” said 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.”
To attend the presentation in person, register for the Atlanta Jewelry Show on its website.
Entry to the show is free for retail businesses that meet the organization’s guidelines. However, a registration fee of $129 is required for the Bench Fusion event.
Other instructors presenting at the Bench Fusion event include Joel McFadden, designer and owner of Joel McFadden Designs; Gary Dawson, owner of Gary Dawson Designs; Tira Mitchell and Rob Mitchell, owners of Engraver.com and TiraMitchell.com; and Jordan Mantzke, modern goldsmith and YouTube influencer.
For more information on Ploof and his pieces crafted with Mokume Gane, visit the Chris Ploof Designs website.
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