Textures and Finishes

For Your Custom Wedding or Engagement Ring

"Finish" and "Texture" are used to generally describe characteristics of a ring's surface. More to the point, "texture" is how the surface feels when it is touched. On the other hand, "finish" is how the ring looks. Over time, some textures may become more smooth with wear. Likewise, finishes are often superficial, and while they may show wear over time, they are still beautiful.

At Krikawa, we have a variety of textures and finishes that may be applied, depending on the design you choose for your ring. A design consultant can help you select the best texture, finish, or combination that will enhance the beauty of your piece. Most rings and designs can be refinished occasionally to bring back the original luster of the metal.

Here are the textures and finishes you will find at Krikawa.

​High Polish

A smooth, mirror-like finish that reflects light. It is created by a super soft buffing wheel spinning at high speeds. A broad high polish is easily marred and quickly shows scuffing. Still, a high polish finish is the most common finish for jewelry as it has the most luster.

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Machine Brushed

A machine-brushed finish is sometimes called a "satin" finish as it is similar to satin fiber threads. Machine-brushed leaves have a very fine texture. This is a superficial finish that can show wear over time in precious metals. 

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Matte Finish

A matte or sandblasted finish is great for recessed areas to create an ideal contrast next to high polished areas. Matte finish will absorb, rather than reflect light. Matte finish on the outside of broad surfaces feels smooth to the touch, but will easily show marks.

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Stone Brushed

Stone brushed is a rugged texture created by using a heavier brushing technique. Stone brushed rings have more visible strokes than machine brushed, and also a more textured feel. 

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Stone Washed

Stonewashed is created by created by tumbling the ring in rocks and water. Stonewashed has a softened matte-like appearance, with an ever-so-slight sparkle. The result is a fine organic texture similar to soft sand.

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Crosshatch

A criss-cross of parallel lines, our hand-scribed crosshatch texture is subtle, elegant, and brings a sense of movement to a ring. Crosshatch is best on wide bands or broad, flat sections of a ring. It makes a simple band dynamic from many angles. 

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Machinist

Using a very heavy hammer technique gives our machinist texture dimension and character. The finished piece has rough edges and an organic texture. 

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Round Hammer

A small, round hammer creates this unique dimpled texture. Our standard round hammered texture has a softened polish sheen. The result best described as a rustic texture with a refined finish.

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Long Hammer

Elongated hammer strokes leave dimples that mimic a rippling water effect with a high-polish shimmer. 

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Millegraining

Millegraining is a decorative technique in which, historically, a little roller is rolled over edges to give the appearance of tiny round balls. Contemporary millegraining is done two ways: Larger beads are cast in place, for a larger look and a more affordable price (shown on left), or the traditional wheel is used for true millegraining (shown on right).  Both can look great! It just depends upon the final look you are trying to achieve.



 

Black Rhodium Plating (aka Charcoal or Gunmetal plating)

A darkened finish is superficial and completed by electroplating with Black Rhodium. How dark a piece gets depends on the metal. Black Rhodium will not be dark as a "black leather jacket", but the difference between natural and darkened metals ranges from subtle to quite distinct.

Yellow or rose gold will achieve a dark, charcoal color.
White or green gold will be closer to gunmetal gray, so not as dark.
Platinum will not darken and the result is a muted gray.

Black Rhodium is a coating of metal over the surface and may fade over time. It has the most longevity in recessed areas of rings, where surface contact is less likely. If the original metal color ever starts showing through, the ring can be re-plated with Black Rhodium.

Precious Metals and How Darkened Finishes Look