Art For Your Fingers: George Sawyer Mokume Rings

When you go to a jewelry store, almost everything you're looking at is mass produced. Each gemstone has its own distinct, microscopic qualities, but other than that, you're going to find the same selection just about everywhere. That's why George Sawyer is a true artist among jewelers.

Sawyer's art is called mokume. Taken from the ancient Japanese art of folding metal for swords, Sawyer uses metal folding to create beautiful, unique pieces of jewelry. He uses several different types of metals in each piece to create a romantic, swirling design that is as unique as a fingerprint.

Sawyer works primarily in golds, using 14K yellow, white, and rose gold, but also works with silver, copper, palladium, and other metals to produce the wide array of colors in his palette. Many of his designs call up the image of tree bark, and with a hint of gray green color, these rings have a very earthy look.

Sawyer showcases his work at craft and jewelry shows all over the country, and many retailers sell his pieces. To find a dealer near you, click here.