Aviation and Military Themed Rings

Ever since I made the SR-71 Blackbird Titanium and USS North Carolina Deck Teak custom project, I have managed to accidentally become the go-to artisan for custom aviation and military rings. 

SR-71 Blackbird Exhaust Nozzle Titanium with USS North Carolina Deck Teak Interior

I emphasize accidental because customers seem to think I have these materials laying around, ready for use.  In reality, I have completed many of these kinds of rings, which I will show below.  However, in every case the customer was responsible for sourcing the material.  

Consider these examples:

This ring was made using the steel machine gun barrel of an F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet.  The marine fighter jock himself provided the material for his custom wedding ring.  Unfortunately, I was not able to retain any of the surplus.

F/A-18 Gun Barrel Steel and USS North Carolina Deck Teak Ring

This all-metal ring was machined from a solid block of steel - one of the rotor bearings of a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter. 

This ring was made using a compressor vane of an Aerospatiale / BAC Concorde Jet.

February 11, 2019 UPDATE: A new favorite. This ring was made from the deck teak of the USS Missouri (BB-63), the ship upon which the Japanese surrendered in 1945. See this blog article.

Important notes to those who would like to commission this kind of project:

• KNOW WHAT SIZE, WIDTH, AND STYLE RING YOU WANT BEFORE YOU ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT MATERIALS REQUIREMENTS. I can't answer any of your questions without this basic information.

• You must source your own material. I have no special connections or ability to find these materials.

• The exact dimensions of the material you source can dictate the design possibilities. In general, thin pieces are going to limit the ring design to an all-metal inlay type ring, like the concorde ring.

• I will not be able to provide a quote for the machining costs until I have the piece in hand or I am given very precise measurements coupled with detailed pictures of the material.

• Lastly, and most importantly, my dream ring is mission-flown SpaceX rocket parts. If you can source this material with any accompanying documentation, your ring will be free. No questions asked, no social media, no blog posts. This is purely a personal project for me.

Modern Metals

I am excited to announce the launch of my new line of FireFly Rings: Modern Metals. In this launch, I feature a variety of styles including Mokume-gane, anodized fusion cobalt and black zirconium, and Damascus steel with titanium blends. Founded primarily to cater to customers who want to supplement their wood ring with an all-metal ring, Firefly Rings has found success simply by offering unique products made with the same, top-quality materials found in major jewelry stores at a fraction of the price. I am able to do this for two reasons: WedgeWood Rings establishes productive relationships with major jewelers and access to wholesale pricing; second, this is not a primary business venture. In recent months, I have been inspired to create a wider selection of all-metal styles to cater to clients who prefer a traditional metal wedding ring, but still want something completely unique and durable.

Titanium

Titanium is a modern metal that has become an increasingly popular wedding band choice for those with metal allergies. It is completely hypoallergenic and biocompatible. It is fairly scratch resistant, earning a 950MPa on the Vickers Hardness Test scale. It is also resistant to corrosion or tarnish- even in salt water! It is very lightweight and, if you choose a satin finish,  doesn't give off much of a shine, making it a comfortable fit for those who don't normally wear jewelry, or don't like anything too flashy. The Mokume Titanium line of rings features a unique blend of titanium alloys which are combined much the same way damascus steel is made.  They are then “etched” using high heat, creating unique patterns.

Damascus Titanium Mokume Ti Ring

Cobalt

Cobalt is the most scratch resistant and shatterproof modern metal I offer. It is similar to white gold or platinum in appearance, but is about four times harder than platinum, with an MPa of 1043 on the hardness scale. Similar to titanium, it is hypoallergenic and biocompatible. However, in many circumstances under which a titanium ring might scratch, cobalt will not. In my new line of cobalt wedding rings, the interior is lined with anodized aluminum. The bond between these metals is permanent.  Aside from the obvious and intentional difference in appearance, the bond is seamless.

Cobalt with Anodized Blue Interior

Black Zirconium

Probably the most strikingly non-traditional modern metal I offer in my shop would be the black zirconium. This has been favored amongst those who want something a little “edgier” for their wedding ring. The zirconium is heat treated until the extreme heat causes oxidization, forming a very hard, durable black coating. This coating has a hardness rating of 1940MPa - the same as sapphire. Although it is very scratch resistant, if it scratched deeply enough, it can reveal the natural silver coloring of the zirconium underneath and is therefore not ideal for those who have a higher tendency to scratch phone screens, watch faces, etc. Like my new cobalt styles, black zirconium features an anodized aluminum interior:

Black Zirconium with Anodized Purple Interior

Damascus Steel

Damascus steel is incredibly scratch resistant and heavier, making it a modern metal wedding ring ideal for tougher lifestyles. Damascus is made from many layers to create a stronger, superior metal. Throughout history and fantasy, this was the preferred choice for superior weapons- nothing says manly like blade steel. If the word “steel” makes you nervous for fear of it rusting- not to worry. The natural oils in the skin as well as the quality steel alloys used in these rings actually make it as rust resistant as possible for any stainless steel ring. The hand wrought damascus featured in my new line is unique because it is similar to fingerprints- no two rings are ever alike. Philosophically, I have always been averse to producing all-metal wedding rings. They have always seemed so plain and without personality, the extra touches I have strived to add though the integration of wood into every WedgeWood Rings design. Until now.

Beveled Double Channel Damascus Steel Ring

Gold

I have always been hesitant about offering gold wedding rings. The reason for this is because of the durability, environmental impact, and value of gold. To read more about my hesitation on working with gold, read my blog post here (insert gold article). However, as gold is a commonly requested material by my clients, I have come up with unique designs that are an intersection of old and the new; the contemporary and the traditional; the conservative and the adventurous. Modern, durable materials are mated with a precious metal base with proprietary techniques to create something equal parts fresh and timeless.

Rose Gold and Black Zirconium Ring

Yellow Gold and Cobalt Ring

Mokume-Gane

Probably my favorite of the modern metal release, are the precious metal mokume-gane rings.  Mokume Gane "wood grain metal" is a technique that originated in Japan in the 17th century.  Originally a technique for folding and fusing metals for swords, it is now almost exclusively in the province of the jeweler. Each ring is individually handmade for the customer. Because of the higher grade materials used for a more durable ring, the process is both absurdly time-consuming and expensive. Frankly, I wouldn't offer this style ring, except the results are so undeniably exquisite.

Yellow Gold, White Gold, and Sterling Silver Mokume Gane Wedding Band

White Gold and Sterling Silver Mokume Gane with Rose Gold Core Ring

Black Ceramic

Black ceramic is an ideal wedding ring choice for electricians as it is non-conductive. It is extremely durable and scratch resistance, with a 2035MPa on the Hardness scale, making it more durable than any metal except tungsten carbide. Unlike the black zirconium, the black ceramic color is not coated- that is to say it is black through and through. Should it get scratched (which is very unlikely), it will not reveal a different color underneath. This makes it a good choice for those who are more likely to scratch phone surfaces, watch faces, etc, but also like the black coloring.

Black Ceramic Ring

Tungsten Carbide

Tungsten Carbide, with an incredible 2600MPa on the hardness scale, is one of the most sought after modern metals if you value its unparalleled scratch resistance. Because it is 10x harder than gold, and 5x harder than steel, it will not bend or deform in any way. Because of its density, however, it makes it heavier. MUCH heavier than titanium, for example.  One factor to consider when shopping for a tungsten carbide wedding ring is the relationship between hardness and brittleness.  As with all superhard materials, a tungsten carbide ring, if it is dropped from head height onto concrete, has a chance to crack.  All rings in my shop are made using only US sourced materials, so the tungsten carbide I use does not crack easily as do mass-produced made-in-China, poorly casted rings.

Tungsten Carbide Ring

F/A-18 Hornet Gun Barrel and USS North Carolina Deck Teak Ring

Do we have a new champion, coolest ring I have ever made?  Previous contenders include the SR-71 Blackbird titanium ring, and the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter ring.  This ring is possible because the marine fighter jock was able to provide me with a section of the barrel.   Anyone with access to these kinds of cool materials, lets talk.

As always, no joke, if you can source parts from a mission-flown SpaceX rocket, that is MY fantasy project.  Contact me, Mr. Musk!

Mammoth Ivory and Black Ceramic Ring

Making this ring was quite an adventure!  I have never had to individually fracture, shape, and adhere material to make a continuous inlay before.  This mammoth ivory was unearthed in Texas, where mammoths resided between 10,000 and 1 million years ago.  Unlike other mammoth ivory I have used, this material is much closer to stone than horn.  This means it is much too friable to form a continuous ring.  I decided to inlay it into my own matrix mixture- a super fine black stone from Sri Lanka and epoxy resin.  

Hesitation: The Gold and Wood Ring

After much deliberation and a long wait, the WedgeWood GOLD wood ring is here! The gold and wood wedding ring combination is highly sought after by clients, and I can understand why. It’s aesthetically pleasing and holds a place in many wedding traditions. And while is does make for a very handsome ring, there are a few reasons why I’ve hesitated to create and offer a gold wood ring combination in my shop.

14k Gold and Hawaiian Koa and 14k Gold and Woodford Reserve Barrel Oak

Durability

Although attractive, gold is one of weakest metals, with a pitiful 200MPa on the Vickers Hardness Scale -- it’s very soft compared to the modern metal options in my shop. A gold ring will scratch VERY easily, and is extremely malleable, meaning that over time gold will very likely bend, contort, and end up molding to the shape of your finger, potentially unable to pass the knuckle. When given a wooden liner, you have two opposing forces: gold, which wants to contort, and wood, which wants to stay rigid. I cannot guarantee a gold wood ring will have a  lifespan as long as cobalt, titanium, or damascus steel. This ring will not be easy to repair, so it is likely that if the ring should break, the costs will be substantial. This is not as much of a concern for gold interior rings.

To be more clear and direct: my primary concern with the durability of a gold and wood ring is not daily wear.  Yes, a gold exterior ring will scratch more easily (the finish placed on the wood may in fact be more scratch resistant than the gold metal); but it is not going to come flying apart during your normal daily activities.  It is unfortunate, however, that my most expensive offering will be less likely to survive more extreme, but still relatively common mishaps.  If you fall off your bike while wearing one of my cobalt rings, the most severe outcome (for the ring) might be a chip in the finish, a routine and inexpensive refinishing job.  A wooden gold ring, however, might bend.  The wood may snap.  The ring would essentially have to be remade.  Mating wood and metal is not an inconsiderable process.  The metal involved must be milled with exacting precision.  The gold in the ring is very likely to be reclaimed and a new gold liner required.

I do offer many other durable metals for my wood rings. To see a comparison of the different metals I offer, please refer to my blog post here.

Rose Gold and Rosewood- Kingwood 14k Gold Ring

Value

While gold rings have a high price point, gold has a greatly overstated innate value. The value of gold is strictly based on the perceived value by another. If you doubt this fact, try buying a gold ring from any jeweler.  Now try selling that ring back to any store, pawnbroker, or ebay buyer.  You will only get back a fraction of the cost.

At best, the perceived inherent value of gold is very volatile and is directly linked to any twitch in the economical world; political furor, inflation, and recessions brings a wild swing in gold prices, enough to give one whiplash.

Environmental

Unfortunately, the gold mining industry is leaving a negative impact on the earth. All of my wood rings are eco-friendly, and I only purchase woods and metals from eco-conscious sellers.
 

Eco-friendly here refers to the responsible harvest of woods, and in the context of metals, the lack of destructive mining processes for acquiring precious metals, such as strip-mining or cyanide processing. With gold, a majority of it is extracted through open pit mines, meaning that masses of the earth are scoured in search of trace elements. It is estimated that one gold ring can be responsible for as much as 20 tons of dislodged earth and rock. This has a domino effect and can clog streams and rivers, taint marine life, produce airborne elemental mercury, and create a chain of chemical reactions that produce sulfuric acid, which can leak into drainage systems.

I take great pride in making sure that my wood rings leave a small ecological footprint, and it is my hope that my gold wood rings will do the same.

If you wish to proceed with your purchase of a gold wood ring, please refer to my blog post giving a step-by-step guide on how to place an order.

14k Gold and Ancient Russian Bog Oak

Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk Steel Bearing Ring

A little break from wooden rings.  Ever since I made the Sr-71 Blackbird Titanium and USS North Carolina Deck Teak ring a year ago, customers have regularly contacted me to commission similar rings with their own custom fantasy aircraft/vehicle parts (A-10 Thunderbolt, P-51 Mustang, you get the idea)  Unfortunately, I have no better idea how to source famous aircraft parts than the average person.  Furthermore, this type of thing really isnt what I do!  All of my typical offerings include a wood ring component.  I am, above all, a woodworker.

Nevertheless, when a customer contacts me with both the awesome idea AND resources/ appropriate parts in-hand, I will absolutely do my best to make whatever project they have in mind happen.  Luckily for us both, the customer who commissioned this Blackhawk ring had this stainless steel bearing to work with.  I have no idea what function it serves in the helicopter. But it makes a fine ring.  Without further delay:

Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk Steel Bearing Ring Completed

Some build pics:

The Black Hawk bearing, untouched.

Mounted on the lathe.

Flattening out.

No joke, if you can source parts from a mission-flown SpaceX rocket, that is MY fantasy project.  Contact me, Mr. Musk!

The Original Whiskey Barrel Wedding Ring

Like most woodworkers, I have an appreciation for the whiskeys of the world.  Cooperage, that is the making of barrels, is an ancient woodworking tradition that is a critical part of creating a fine whiskey.  Naturally, all woodworkers seek to combine these passions in some way. The idea to use a spent whiskey barrel stave for small woodturnings is not mine.  Used Jack Daniels wood in particular has been available for small projects for quite a while.  However, the practice of using the material for rings is my creation.  

After some research, I was able to get my hands on some of the uncut, un-dimensioned Jack Daniel’s cask staves made of American White Oak, and from there the original whiskey barrel wedding ring was born. The bourbon and scotch themed ring quickly became the #1 favorite in my shop amongst customers, and this style has since been featured on many websites such as gizmodo.com , gq-magazine.co.uk , ringtoperfection.com , buzzfeed.com , and uncrate.com .

Distillery Options  

Once I secured a steady supply of the Jack Daniel’s barrel staves, I and my customers became obsessed with getting my hands on staves from other brands of whiskeys. Currently, I have over a dozen different distillery options to choose from to customize a whiskey barrel wedding ring:

Jack Daniel’s (Lynchburg, Tennessee)

Woodford Reserve (Woodford County, Kentucky)

Four Roses (Lawrenceburg, Kentucky)

Stranahan’s (Denver, Colorado)

Pappy van Winkle (Frankfort, Kentucky)

Old Rip van Winkle (Frankfort, Kentucky)

Buffalo Trace (Frankfort, Kentucky)

Angel’s Envy (Louisville, Kentucky)

Knob Creek (Clermont, Kentucky)

Jim Beam (Clermont, Kentucky)

Maker’s Mark (Loretto, Kentucky)

Yamazaki (Shimamoto, Japan)

Hibiki (shimamoto, Japan)

Hakushu (Hokuto, Japan)

Dry Fly (Spokane, Washington)

Old Forester (Louisville, Kentucky)

Garrison Brothers (Hye, Texas)

Yellow Rose (Houston, Texas)

Firestone and Robertson (Fort Worth, Texas)

Founders Beer (Grand Rapids, Michigan)

Cedar Ridge (Swisher, Iowa)

High West (Park City, Utah)

Blanton’s (Frankfort, Kentucky)

Blue Ridge (Bostic, North Carolina)

Tuthilltown (Gardiner, New York)

Detroit City (Detroit, Michigan)

Scotch

The Macallan (Moray, Scotland)

Kilchoman (Islay, Scotland)

Balvenie (Dufftown, Scotland)

Laphroaig (Islay, Scotland)

When ordering a whiskey barrel wedding ring, the default barrel stave is Jack Daniel’s. This is what will be used if a specific distillery is not specified in the “wood choice” section at checkout. Be aware that all of these barrel staves, regardless of source, will look very similar in color and pattern, as they are all charred American White Oak (I believe this is law, to be called bourbon (or in the case of The Macallan, scotch, which is aged in USED barrels, versus new barrels for bourbon) and only vary slightly in color from a light blonde to a dark caramel (the darker the stock, the closer that piece was to the charred part of the cask). Even scotch barrel rings specifically, which in the case of The Macallan or The Balvenie may be French oak or sherry cask, the appearance is essentially the same.  If you would prefer a darker or lighter piece of the cask, simply place your request in the “notes” section at checkout. I will do my best to accommodate this in your whiskey barrel wedding ring.

Each whiskey barrel ring will have something that is called ray fleck, which runs vertically to the grain of the wood. This is completely normal, and not a flaw in the wood, although to some it may look like the wood is somehow scratched. This is an unavoidable part of using oak! It will appear in your whiskey barrel wedding ring. 

Seen here, rather artistically I think, following the lines of the steel from the bottom right toward middle left.  See the light lines in the oak?  Ray fleck.

There is one exception to the similar coloring and look of the staves in the whiskey barrel wedding rings: Angel’s Envy. This brand is unique in that after the whiskey is aged in the American White Oak casks, it is then finished in port wine casks. This will give the wood a brown/purple hue, which adds a more unique look to the standard whiskey barrel wedding ring. Because I am dedicated to preserving the wine stain in the ring, the wood must be cut a certain way that limits the size of rings using this stave to size 11.5, maximum.

A pair of Angel's Envy Bourbon (sherry cask finished) barrel oak wedding bands

NOTE: Your whiskey barrel wedding ring will NOT come with a certificate of authenticity.  Customers have been sourcing their own staves directly from the distillery of their choice for years now.  With the exception of scotch brands, who tend to be more stingy, no one has had any trouble getting their own wood.  You are welcome, even encouraged, to source your own wood from your own whiskey oak ring! 

Style Options

Any of the styles seen in my shop can be made with the whiskey wood. Here are examples of some of the more popular whiskey barrel wedding rings:

Beveled Cobalt Wooden Ring Lined with Bourbon Barrel oak

Beveled Cobalt and Whiskey Barrel White Oak Wood Ring

Cobalt Mokume-Gane Whiskey Barrel Oak Wood Ring

White gold mokume-gane flanked by cobalt, used whiskey barrel white oak interior.

Black Ceramic Ring with Whiskey Barrel White Oak

Whiskey barrel oak flanked by practically unscratchable and non-conductive black ceramic.

If you’re not sure about which metal to choose to go with your whiskey barrel, check out this blog post I wrote about the comparison of metals I offer here. If you need help with other portions of the process to order your whiskey barrel wedding ring, I have a step-by-step guide here.

Don’t see your favorite distillery?

Even though I have a large selection of barrel staves to choose from, there are some I have not yet been able to acquire. If you don’t see a specific brand you want for your whiskey barrel wedding ring, I have had customers in the past have great luck with acquiring their own staves. If you would like to contact your favorite distillery, and have the stave sent to me, I would be more than happy to work with it! If you are able to get ahold of the distillery (via email or phone), I will provide a shipping address for them to ship it directly to me. Please note that it may take some time to receive an answer from a distillery, so make sure you contact them with plenty of time before you need your whiskey barrel wedding ring! Once I receive a stave and your order is placed, it will take about 4-6 weeks for me to complete, and ship your ring.

How to Order a wood Ring

So you’ve finally picked out the metal that’s right for you, and you’ve picked out the perfect wood for your unique wedding ring. You’re ready to place your order! Here, I’ve listed out the steps to take to purchase your one of a kind wooden rings:

Step 1: Getting to the shop.

Follow the link to my shop page. This gives a list of styles of and prices. Don’t see the exact combination you’re looking for? That’s okay! Select the style of the unique wedding ring you are looking for, such as the cobalt wooden ring.

Click the “add to cart” button.

Step 2: Order Form.

You will be presented with the order form like the one shown. It’ll be slightly different for wooden exterior rings as there are fewer options, but it is the same basic principle.
 

Step 3: Size

The first part you will have to fill out is the size of your unique wedding ring. I offer rings sizes from 4-15 in quarter size increments, meaning that I can make, for example, a size 7.25. Something of importance to note here is that all of my wooden rings are comfort fit, not standard fit! This does have an impact on your ring size so be absolutely sure that you were sized in a comfort fit band by the jeweler.

Comfort fit rings are the most common band type and have a slightly domed interior to provide a more comfortable fit. It is preferred amongst those with large knuckles as the domed interior makes it easier for them to slip the unique wedding ring on. To determine the size of the comfort fit band, the exact middle of the ring is used.

Standard fit rings have a flat interior. To determine the size of the standard fit band, the edge of the ring is used. For this reason, the standard fit ring size is typically about ½ size larger than the comfort fit size. I have found that this style is not ideal for a handmade wooden ring and do not offer this style to my customers.  

Note on size: When you get sized, keep a couple things in mind-- your fingers are slightly swollen in the morning (don’t ask me why), your fingers are larger during warm weather, your fingers are larger after a meal (especially salty meals). This means that if you have your finger measured on a chilly evening before dinner, the result will be on the low end of your actual size.   

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE BE 100% SURE OF YOUR SIZE BEFORE ORDERING! Wood interior rings can be adjusted up or down about ¼ size (by removing or adding finish to the interior), and wood exterior rings CANNOT BE RESIZED AT ALL! Every ring is made to the exact size provided. An error in sizing that exceeds the margin provided above will necessitate a completely new ring. REFUNDS AND EXCHANGES WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE. BE 100% SURE OF YOUR ACCURATE AND CORRECT SIZE BEFORE ORDERING.

Step 4: Width

I get a lot of questions regarding width, and which would be best for the customer’s unique wedding ring. In every listing, I have a recommended width chart:

Recommended width is calculated in this way: Size 5 is 5mm wide. Width increases .5mm per size above that. So:

Size 5- 5mm

Size 6- 5.5mm

Size 7- 6mm

Size 8- 6.5mm

Size 9- 7mm

Size 10- 7.5mm

Size 11+ - 8mm

There are some wooden rings that are exceptions to this rule, such as the black ceramic and tungsten styles, which are only available in 6mm and 8mm, and others, such as the cobalt mokume-gane, which only come in a 6mm width. The Hand-wrought Twisted damascus steel is another exception- the default width for this unique wedding ring is 6mm. I do offer 7mm and 8mm for this style, however there is a $40 upcharge per 1mm. These are separate listings you will have to add to your cart before checking out. For 7mm, click here. For 8mm, click here.

If you are a larger size, for example a size 11.5, but you prefer a smaller width for your unique wedding ring, you are more than welcome to select any width between 5mm-8mm. Please keep in mind that a smaller width will have a slight impact on your ring size, so it is important to get sized in the width you plan on ordering and ideally, try on a ring of the appropriate size and width before ordering. Again, wooden rings cannot be resized, and returns and exchanges will not be possible.

Step 5: Profile

I offer three different types of profiles for my unique wedding rings-- flat, domed, and beveled. Here is an example of the different profiles:

Flat (left), domed (right). Black zirconium lined with exhibition grade Arizona Desert Ironwood Burl

Beveled. Black zirconium with special grade Cocobolo Rosewood

This is a cosmetic customization for your wooden ring that will not impact size or fit. This purely depends on which is more comfortable for the wearer of the unique wedding ring. There are a few exceptions for this customizations: any wooden exterior rings will have a flat profile, and the damascus steel rings are only available in the profile shown. The best way to figure out which profile is best for you is to try a few on at a store when you get sized.

Step 6: Finish

This is another cosmetic customization for your unique wedding band ring that will not impact size or fit. This is also limited to the wooden interior rings, with the exception of damascus steel. For cobalt I offer three finishes-- satin, polished, and hammered:

Satin finish, domed profile cobalt ring lined with Arizona Desert Ironwood Burl

Polished finish, domed profile cobalt ring lined with Bethlehem Olivewood

Hammered finish, flat profile, cobalt ring lined with bourbon barrel stave

For black zirconium I offer two finishes, satin and polished:

Satin finish, flat profile black zirconium lined and Ancient Russian Bog Oak

Polished finish, flat profile black zirconium ring lined with exhibition curly Koa

And finally, for titanium I offer three finishes-- polished, satin, and stone:

Step 7: Wood Choice

The final customization for your unique wedding band is the wood choice. My selection of woods is far too vast to list, but to get an idea of what I have in stock, browse around my website and Instagram.

If you’re looking for a specific kind of bourbon barrel for your wooden ring, I have a list of what I currently have in stock here.

If you have a piece of wood that holds meaning to you, I would be happy to work with it! I have done many projects where the customer sent a piece of wood and the results have been amazing! Check out some of these examples:

Satin finish, domed profile cobalt wood ring with Gibson headstock.

Satin finish, flat profile black zirconium wood ring with skateboard deck

Cobalt wood ring with wine barrel stave

Step 8: Check-out

You’ve gone through all of the customizations for your new wooden ring, and now it’s time to proceed to check-out. You will be brought to a page where you can enter your contact and shipping information (note: please understand that my turnaround time for your unique wedding ring is about 6 weeks as every ring is custom made to order. If you are moving during this time, please enter the address that you want it delivered to within that time frame. Also, please please PLEASE double check your shipping address and make sure you put in the CORRECT address!)

Important note on ship date: If you need your ring sooner than the 6 week turnaround time I do offer rush order, which will have your order shipped within 21 days. This is a separate listing that you will need to add to your cart before you checkout! To add rush order, click here.

Once you fill out your contact and shipping information, you will be shown a few different delivery options:

USPS priority mail usually takes about 2-3 business days. USPS Express mail takes about 1-2 business days. International orders take between 3-6 business days.

For customers outside the US:

Due to changes in USPS policy, international packages sent to countries other than Canada can no longer be tracked past the US border. Insurance claims are also not possible. Due to this change and for your protection, international customers outside of Canada will be required to pay for USPS Global Express shipping ($60.95), which in addition to guaranteeing arrival within 3-6 business days (excepting intervention from your country’s customs department), also can be tracked and insured. I wish I could offer a more economical solution, but cheaper options are too risky.

International customers are responsible for all fees associated with shipping to their respective countries. Orders that are shipped to countries outside of the United States may be subject to import taxes, customs duties and fees levied by the destination country. The recipient of an international shipment may be subject to such import taxes, customs duties and fees, which are levied once a shipment reaches your country. Additional charges for customs clearance must be borne by the recipient; I have no control over these charges and cannot predict what they might be. Customs policies vary widely from country to country; you should contact your local customs office for further information. When customs clearance procedures are required, it can cause delays beyond the original delivery estimates. It is against the law and I will not mark an item as a “gift” to avoid any fees.

Step 9: Sit tight, your ring is on its way!

Now that you’ve placed your order for your wooden ring, sit back and relax! Soon you will receive an automated confirmation email, letting you know that I’ve received your order and have noted any customizations. Your order will be shipping within 6 weeks for a regular order, and 21 days for a rush order. Be patient! In practice, I typically ship 1-2 weeks early, but it is not something I can always guarantee. When your order is ready for shipment, you will receive an email with a USPS tracking number and pictures of your unique wedding ring! Please do not send me emails at the one week, two week, or three week mark for updates! I understand you’re excited about your ring, but please understand that I am a one man show, and taking time to answer your emails for an update request takes time away from the shop, and time away from creating your ring. Should any problems or changes occur during the production process, I will email you immediately and let you know.
 

Thank you for your order!