Designing your Ring

If you want to learn more about the decisions you'll be making, read on.

The primary wood is what makes the base of your ring. If you add inlays and a liner, you may not see much of the primary wood but you always want to choose for beauty and durability. We will guide you in a different direction if your primary wood choice is less than ideal.

Liners are what we call the wood used on the interior of your ring if it differs from the primary wood. Liners are sometimes added for stability, but more often for aesthetics; for showing an inscription when the primary wood is darker or when you have a special connection to a particular kind of wood. And they're pretty! Interior liners can incorporate a hidden knot, or be inscribed with a special message. The interior of David's rings are as beautiful and as beautifully finished, as the exteriors.

You will either want a consistent width all the way around the ring, or a ring that is wider at the front of your hand with a narrower fit on the inside of your hand as in (tapered to ….. mm) Do you like a thicker ring or a thinner ring? Thickness (or thinness) does not affect the integrity of the ring. Within reason of course. There is a ‘normal thickness’ that is comfy and durable without being bulky or flimsy.

If you are designing a ring with a highlight or featured knot, you will want to orient that feature to the center front of your ring. It can only be oriented by adding a taper to your ring. Even without a 'feature', if you are designing a ring wider than 6 or 7mm, David highly recommends a taper! A taper protects the wood on the inside of your hand where it comes into contact with things regularly and it's comfortable. A tapered ring is wider at the front and narrower at the back.
David works with three types of taper. Hidden Taper, Full Taper, and Gentle (very slight) taper.

Inlays refer to woods or natural materials that contrast or compliment the primary wood of your ring. Inlays are embellishments to the primary wood. Inlaid bands can be centered on the ring, offset to one edge, spiraled, or cross spiraled. You might choose a braided inlay or an inlay of crushed stone, rock, sand, or shell. Inlays of most natural materials can be incorporated. Our clients have sent dry plant and flower material, stone, shell, coffee grounds, hemp, sage, lava rock, and river rock. You are welcome to use what we have on hand, or send your own material for a more personal and meaningful ring.

Be sure to measure the finger that will be wearing the ring ~ not the finger of your opposite hand. And please be specific; David will make whatever size fits best. ¼, ½, or full sizes. Please visit a reputable jeweler and measure your finger specifically for the width of the ring that you want David to make, because wide and narrow rings (tapered rings and different styles) will all fit a little differently. You want your ring to fit comfortably; not too tight, not too loose. Allow a wee bit of room for your skin to breathe under your ring. That's true for any ring, not just a wood ring.

When you decide you would like to work with us, I'll send you a design worksheet (or find a downloadable copy below) where you can jot down your preferences and I am happy to answer any questions you have. David and I will guide you to make good (and beautiful) choices.