Designed to highlight the rich texture of the sand casting process. Hand cut master. Sand cast in house as a bar then sawn to length and finished. The sterling silver posts are domestically manufactured and have a large pad so that the shibuichi is not in direct contact with your skin. The sterling silver ear nuts are made in the States as well. Shipped in a CNC cut box, made to spec right here in Maine by the talented Rangeley Morton. The dark finish is a liver of sulphur patina. It will naturally buff back over time revealing the rosy hue of the raw metal beneath, particularly on the high spots.