Wood

Wood is one of the oldest and warmest materials in jewelry. It is light, comfortable and every piece has a unique grain. It is carved, turned, laminated and combined with metal, resin or stones to make rings, earrings, beads and pendants.

Properties #

• Common species: olive, walnut, cherry, maple, ebony, bamboo, sandalwood and hard tropical woods.
• Weight: very light; dense woods (ebony, rosewood) weigh more and polish better.
• Look: unique grain, color and texture in every piece.
• Finish: oil, wax, varnish or epoxy resin to seal and protect.
• Sensitivity: it swells and cracks with humidity and sudden temperature changes.

Uses in jewelry #

• Solid or inlaid wooden rings.
• Lightweight earrings and turned beads.
• Carved pendants and bangles.
• Combinations with resin, metal and cord.

Pros and cons #

Advantages #

• Very light and warm to the touch.
• Every piece is unique.
• Renewable when it comes from responsible forestry.

Limitations #

• It is sensitive to water and knocks.
• It can scratch and wear with daily use.
• Some tropical species are protected or hard to trace.

Care and cleaning #

• Avoid water, sweat and perfume.
• Clean with a dry or barely damp cloth.
• Refresh the finish with a few drops of oil or wax now and then.
• Keep it away from heat sources.

See also #

• Leather
• Seeds, tagua and nuts
• Resin