All About Wood Body Jewelry – Everything You Need To Know

Wood body jewelry is a phenomenal adornment option for many reasons. It has an earthy, tribal, organic aesthetic. There's a super-wide range of woods used for body jewelry, six of which we'll cover in this guide. Along with a wood's natural colorings and patterns, wood can be inlaid or paired with other materials like glass, brass, acrylic, or abalone. It can also be intricately etched or carved.

If you're thinking of adding wood to your body jewelry collection, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Pros and Cons of Wood Body Jewelry

Pros:

• Wood is natural. It's earthy, organic aesthetic comes from the variety of woods used, and there's a wide range of how wood jewelry appears.
• Wood is relatively lightweight. Wooden body jewelry is often lighter than metal or glass, making it more comfortable for everyday wear and reducing the risk of unwanted stretching or damage to the piercing.
• Wood offers unique design elements. The variety of wood types, colors, and grain patterns allows for unique and intricate designs in body jewelry. You can also carve it into different shapes or combine it with inlays, metals, or acrylics.
• Wood is breathable. Wood is porous, which allows the skin to breathe. This can reduce the risk of irritation and odor.
• Wood can be hypoallergenic. Wood is generally less likely to cause allergic reactions than certain metals, although specific types of wood can still cause sensitivities in some individuals.
• Wood is eco-friendly. Wood jewelry is often made from sustainable, renewable sources, making it an environmentally friendly option.

Cons:

• Wood is more susceptible to damage or breakage than some other materials. It's generally less durable than metal or glass, making it more susceptible to scratches, cracks, and damage. There's also a wide variation in the hardness of different woods, with some being softer than others.
• Wood is porous. Porosity can lead to the absorption of bacteria or moisture if not properly treated and sealed, increasing the risk of infection or irritation.
• Wood can cause sensitivities or allergies in some people. Some individuals may be sensitive or allergic to specific types of wood, which could cause reactions when wearing a particular wood.
• Wood isn't suitable for fresh piercings. Wood body jewelry isn't suitable for fresh or unhealed piercings due to its porous nature, which can harbor bacteria and hinder healing.
• Wood requires a lot of care and maintenance. Wood jewelry requires care and maintenance, such as regular cleaning and resealing, to prevent bacterial growth and to preserve its natural beauty.

6 Types of Popular Woods Used for Body Jewelry With Examples

Tamarind

Tamarind is a popular choice with a unique grain pattern and rich color.

Olivewood

Olivewood has unique, distinctive grain patterns and a warm, golden brown hue that lends itself well to body jewelry.

Sabawood

This reddish-brown wood is often used for carving intricate designs and shapes in body jewelry.

Arang Ebony Wood

Known for its dark color and dense texture, areng is extremely hard and durable.

Zebrawood

Zebrawood's striped pattern offers a super-unique look.

Bloodwood

Bloodwood's rich, red hue makes it a statement wood.

Wood Body Jewelry Styles

Wood Gauges and Wooden Ear Plugs

Wood ear plugs are designed for stretched earlobe piercings. They can be made from various types of wood, such as ebony, saba, tamarind, bloodwood, olivewood, zebrawood, and more. Wood gauges are available in different sizes to accommodate various stages of ear stretching, come in simple or intricate designs, and can feature carved details or inlays.

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Wood Tunnels and Eyelets

Wood ear tunnels and eyelets share all the qualities of plugs, except they feature a hollow center. Tunnels and eyelets are ideal for larger pierced holes since using solid ear plugs can be too heavy.

Hoops and Spirals

Wood comes in circular styles like earrings as well. With a wide variety of hoops, such as these olivewood hoops and dark tamarind hoops. Wood spirals are another classic favorite.

Weights

Some wood pieces function as weights, which is important to note before you purchase.

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How to Care for Wood Jewelry

Wood should be comfortable to wear as long as the surface is sanded or polished very smoothly. Its porosity means it absorbs moisture, so keeping it oiled daily with natural oils like jojoba or vitamin E will help keep your wood jewelry in good condition and prevent cracking. Avoid getting wood jewelry wet for extended amounts of time since it absorbs water. The best thing to do is to remove it during wet activities and then put it back in afterward. You should also avoid leaving your wood jewelry in direct sunlight.

If wood comes into direct contact with your piercing, you should periodically wipe it down with a damp washcloth. Pat it dry and oil it before re-inserting it.

Over time the wood grain can "raise up," so you may need to re-sand it with 800-grit sandpaper and then buff it with 1200-grit sandpaper.

Aftercare and Safety

Wood can't be autoclaved or sterilized. Therefore, it shouldn't be worn in new piercings. Wood should be worn in healed piercings only.

 

We hope this guide answered all your questions about wood!

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