Damascus steel has its origins in the glowing forge of the Japanese swordsmith. These skilled metalsmiths would repeatedly fold and forge raw steel to purify and strengthen each sword, leaving behind a distinctive yet subtle wood grain like pattern in the blade. Modern Damascus steel is created using a similar process, but purposely combines steels of differing chemical makeup to create bolder and more vibrant patterns than those achieved in ancient times.

The metals used in David’s Damascus are “300 series” jewellery grade stainless steels. It is hypo-allergenic, highly corrosion resistant so will not rust and can stand up to environments many other metals won’t. David’s Damascus is not the same type of steel used in knife making as this is not suitable for wearing against the skin and will rust.

Tantalum is relatively new to jewellery, its most common use is in the production of electronic components, mainly capacitors and some high-power resistors.

Tantalum is highly corrosion resistant, hard wearing and bio-compatible making it ideal for jewellery. In its natural state it's a deep grey/blue, however it can be made darker through sandblasting and surface treatments. It’s a very dense material and has a nice weight to it. It’s a great choice for those wanting for a distinctive looking ring that is also very durable.

Titanium is used widely to manufacture products for the aeronautics, medical and construction industries.  Titanium has been used in jewellery making for many decades and is known for being strong, durable, light-weight and hypoallergenic. It’s a cool silver/grey naturally and its surface can darkened through sandblasting.

Mokume-gane is an all precious metal alternative to Damascus steel. Translating closely to “wood grain metal”, Mokume-gane was first made in 17th-century Japan and was used solely to manufacture swords. Now available in a variety of colours, mokume-gane is a great choice for those who want a precious metal ring, but aren’t looking for something traditional.