didnt read much of the past few posts coz it is late - but a thought just struck me: black shiny vinyl.  You get an amazing reflection and it looks so classy if you use it as the surface you take shots of rings or any jewelry on.  I didnt manage to get some for my shots but saw some examples using it and it makes the thing look great... might want to give it a try - but if the doorknob "rustic" backdrop look is what you are going for then i suppose it isnt really useful :)

"In every colour, there's the light.
In every stone sleeps a crystal.
Remember the Shaman, when he used to say:
Man is the dream of the Dolphin"

Rich Meadows Photography