There's a common assumption that harder wood is harder to work with. That's sometimes true, but hardness is only one piece of the puzzle. Some of the most challenging woods in my shop are actually quite soft. Others are dense enough to overheat my tools in seconds. Some have grain that changes direction so many times within a single piece that there's no safe angle to approach from. What's funny is that several of these difficult woods are also my favorites. The properties that make them a challenge are usually the same properties that make the finished piece extraordinary. Koa...
Every piece of wooden jewelry I make leaves the studio with a protective finish already applied. That means maintenance on your end is about as simple as it gets. In fact, most of the time you don't need to do anything at all. The natural oils from your skin help condition the wood as you wear it, keeping it looking great with zero effort. That said, there are moments when a piece could use a little refresh. Maybe it's been sitting in a drawer for a while, or the surface looks slightly dull. When that happens, the right oil makes...
You know figured wood when you see it. The grain stops you mid-scroll. The patterns pull your eye. Something about the wood just looks different. Figuring refers to the patterns, textures, and optical effects in wood grain. Growth irregularities cause it. Genetics play a role. Environmental factors contribute. The result is wood that looks like art instead of building material. For jewelry, figuring matters more than it does for furniture or flooring. A ring face might be half an inch wide. A pendant might be an inch tall. That small canvas concentrates the figure. Every pattern shows up prominently. You're...
Image courtesy of Cook Woods Have you ever looked at a piece of wood and had to stop and stare because the pattern was so captivating? That's exactly what happens when you encounter pomelle bubinga. The intricate, bubble-like patterns that ripple across the surface create a visual effect unlike almost any other wood. Working with pomelle bubinga is always a treat, and I'm excited to share what makes this figured wood so exceptional. What Makes Pomelle Bubinga Special? Image Courtesy of Oakwood Veneer Company Pomelle bubinga stands apart from standard bubinga through its distinctive figure. The wood displays a dense...
Image Courtesy of Hearne Hardwoods If you've ever watched light dance across a piece of wood and wondered why some materials seem to glow from within, you've witnessed chatoyance. It's one of nature's most captivating optical effects. The word comes from the French "chatoyer," meaning "to shimmer" like a cat's eye. That's exactly what chatoyant materials do: they display a luminous band of light that shifts and moves as you change your viewing angle. What Creates This Magic? Chatoyance occurs when light reflects off parallel fibers, tubes, or needle-like inclusions within a material. Think of it like thousands of tiny...
Few precious gemstones capture the essence of the American Southwest quite like turquoise. Among the many varieties of this beloved stone, Sleeping Beauty turquoise stands as perhaps the most iconic and sought-after in the world. What Makes Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Special? The Fineline - White Mother of Pearl with Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Sleeping Beauty turquoise is immediately recognizable by its striking robin's egg blue color—a pure, vibrant azure that seems to capture the essence of the Southwestern sky. Unlike many other turquoise varieties, Sleeping Beauty typically contains little to no matrix (the dark veining or patterns found in most turquoise)....
