- Jewelry Identifier
- Hallmarks
- MOKUME-GANE
* mixed-metal hallmark
The MOKUME-GANE hallmark: meaning, purity & value
Japanese mixed-metal forging technique. Layered gold, silver, copper, and shakudo billets forged and cut to reveal wood-grain pattern. Pieces typically carry the metallurgist's mark plus a hallmark for the highest-purity component metal.
Published May 30, 2026
Quick facts
- Metal
- mixed-metal
- Common regions
- Japan, international
Stamps that mean the same thing
This purity may be struck into jewelry as any of: MOKUME-GANE / 木目金 / WOODGRAIN METAL. The mark differs by country and era, but the metal content is identical.
What MOKUME-GANE tells you
Japanese mixed-metal forging technique. Layered gold, silver, copper, and shakudo billets forged and cut to reveal wood-grain pattern. Pieces typically carry the metallurgist's mark plus a hallmark for the highest-purity component metal.
How to check it yourself
- Examine the stamp under a 10× loupe — genuine marks are crisp and evenly struck, not doubled or smeared.
- Confirm the mark reads MOKUME-GANE or an equivalent such as 木目金.
- Photograph it in the Jewelry Identifier app to read the metal, hallmark, and any gemstones from the image.
- For a binding result, have an assay office or gemological lab run an XRF purity test.
Sources
- Japan Mokume-Gane Association
- Wikidata Q635011
* Frequently asked
FAQ
- Q. Is MOKUME-GANE the same as 木目金?
- A. Yes. MOKUME-GANE, 木目金, WOODGRAIN METAL all denote the same material — mixed-metal. Different markets and eras stamp it differently, but the purity is identical.
- Q. How do I confirm a MOKUME-GANE stamp is genuine?
- A. Look at the mark under 10× magnification for crisp, even strikes, cross-check the weight-to-volume ratio against the expected density, scan it with the Jewelry Identifier app, and — when it matters — have an XRF test done by an assay office or gemological lab.
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