In short
A wedding ring is small and yet carries a lot: a promise that you see and feel every day. Made from wood, it becomes a piece where no ring equals another. Here I tell you what makes up the symbolism of the ring and why I make my rings from wood.
Hardly any piece of jewellery do you wear as often and as long as your wedding ring. It is there when you get dressed in the morning, and still there when you wash your hands in the evening. That is why it is worth asking not only how it looks, but also what it means for the two of you.
This post is about the meaning of the ring and about my path to wood. How a wooden ring holds up in everyday life, how the price is made up and which woods and metals there are, I have described in separate posts.
A circle without beginning or end
A ring is a simple shape for a big promise. It has no beginning and no end, and that is how it has long been read: as an image of a bond that doesn’t end.
You don’t have to agree with that. Some wear their ring because it is beautiful and feels good, others because there is a story behind it. All that matters is that it means something to the two of you.
A promise you can feel
A wedding ring differs from other jewellery in that it goes along with you every day. You see it while working, while cooking, while shaking hands. It quietly reminds you of what you promised each other.
That is why it matters to me that it is comfortable to wear. A ring that only convinces in the photo quickly loses meaning in everyday life. It should feel like you.
What your ring can tell about the two of you
What story is in the ring is up to you. It can be a wood type you like, or wood that means something to you, such as a tree from your own garden. On request I work this wood into your ring, provided it is a hardwood.
An engraving can also tell a story: a fingerprint, a mountain range, a word only you understand. I engrave by laser in the metal. Which motifs are possible, we discuss in conversation.
And the combination can say something too: the wood with its grain for what grows, the precious metal for what remains. If this image speaks to you, we build it into the design.
Why I make rings from wood
Wood is a living material. Every grain is different, which is why every ring is one of a kind, even if two couples choose the same wood type.
At the same time, a ring is just about the most demanding thing you can build from wood. A ring simply turned from a single piece of wood won’t withstand everyday life for decades. That is why, together with my grandfather, a pattern maker, I developed a manufacturing process of our own. Since 2014 I have been making rings from wood and improving them year after year.
The wood is not sealed afterwards but gets its resilience from the ground up through this process. The protection is in the material itself. The process has a patent pending, it has not yet been granted, the status is “Patent Pending”.
Where my wood and my gold come from
My wood comes from two sources. The first is leftover stock: from antique cabinetmakers, from instrument makers and from workshop clearances. The second is a veneer dealer in Nürensdorf.
The gold is recycled and comes from Switzerland. You can also bring your own gold, such as an heirloom that is no longer worn. More on this in the post about sustainability.
My advice
It begins with a conversation. It is free of charge, as a video call of around 30 minutes or in person in Lohn SH or Oftringen AG, in which case it takes about two hours. You book the appointment online at bentwood.ch. In the ring configurator I show you what your one-of-a-kind piece will look like in the end. After that you get time to think it over, because a ring for a whole life may come into being in peace.
Related
Frequently asked questions
Does a wedding ring have to mean something specific?
No. The symbolism is an offer and not an obligation. Your ring may simply be beautiful, or carry a story only the two of you know.
Can I bring my own wood for my ring?
Yes, I can process wood from a tree with personal meaning, provided it is a hardwood. Whether and how your wood is suitable, we clarify in conversation.
Since when have you been making rings from wood?
Since 2014. The manufacturing process has a patent pending, the patent has not yet been granted.
About the author
Jan Berger is a trained carpenter and the founder of Bentwood. Since 2014 he has been making wedding and engagement rings from wood, precious metals and gemstones. Consultations take place in Lohn (SH) and Oftringen (AG).
