Going Green: Wooden Wedding Rings

With a growing number of couples becoming interested in reducing their carbon footprint, it is no wonder that engagement and wedding ring manufacturers would pounce on that demographic. On top of the ecological impact, the unethical way that many companies go about obtaining their diamonds and gold to make the traditional style of wedding rings is enough to promote some couples to look at alternatives. One of the most popular alternatives is to buy wooden rings which offer the rare benefit of being made right there in America. However, all types of wedding rings regardless of what they are made from have their own advantages and disadvantages, so the ultimate decision is up to the couple.

Renewable Sourcing

One of the biggest benefits of choosing a wooden wedding ring is that they are made from 100% renewable resources. Unlike gold, silver, or other heavy elements that are finite and growing more scarce, timber is one of the biggest exports in the United States and can be replenished in a fairly short timeframe. With that in mind, most jewelers who make wooden wedding rings actually reclaim their materials from old products such as broken guitars or old farm planks to recycle them into another purpose. Some manufacturers even go as far as fining downed trees and branches for their materials, which can actually lead to some pretty high quality woods being used without the larger price tag.

Durability and Longevity

Though gold or silver wedding rings are obviously going to be more durable than one made from wood, they are actually much more resilient than most people initially think. With the proper maintenance and care, a wooden wedding ring can last a very long time. However, they do require more care than metal wedding rings such as being cleaned with lemon seed oil or a similar product. Also, though they are often coated with some sort of waterproof layer, you want to avoid putting your handcrafted ring under water too often as well as exposing it to harsh chemicals.

With all the benefits both ethically and ecologically, wooden wedding rings are on the top of many young couples’ lists when looking for a way to go green. As a bonus, wooden wedding rings are also much cheaper than traditional wedding or engagement rings because they aren’t made from precious metals and don’t feature any rare stones. If you want to give your wooden ring that extra touch, you can have it custom engraved or burned with any choice of words or symbols to suit your personal taste. And as a final hidden benefit, wooden rings are the perfect choice for anyone who has a metal allergy or sensitivity that prevents them from wearing jewelry all together.