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A Guide to Our Materials

August 22 2022 – Mike Yarbrough

Learn how we source the materials we craft with!
Learn how we source the materials we craft with!

At Rustic and Main, we craft rings that tell a story. You can create a wearable symbol of your love, passions, memories, history and heritage that you can wear as a reminder of what matters and pass on as an heirloom from one generation to the next.


Our in-house selection of materials that we use craft our rings are consciously sourced and hand-selected for their character, beauty and history. Each material is thoroughly inspected for quality before being approved for production and include certificates of authenticity. Enjoy our curated selection of gemstones, artifacts, reclaimed woods, unique and historic materials that are hand selected for their character, beauty and history.


We are committed to ethical and sustainable sourcing practices. This is why we use SCS-certified 100% recycled gold, repurposed and reclaimed wood, naturally shed elk antler, and other consciously curated materials to make our rings. Sourcing raw materials this way preserves the world we love while adding depth and history to the bands we craft.


We also love using customer-provided materials as well! We have used everything from wedding bouquets to fishing line. Learn more about customer provided materials here.


Check out our Ring Inspo. Gallery to see some a variety of unique customer provided materials we have used over the years.

Learn about our responsibly curated and unique in-house materials we use to craft our rings



The unique materials we use to craft rings tell a story unlike any other. We are committed to the responsible sourcing of authentic materials. Every material is hand selected and inspected for quality and for the beauty, character and brilliance they add to your ring. Learn more about each material in our materials guide, so you can feel connected to the unique story of your very own Rustic & Main ring.

 
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SCS-Certified 100% Recycled Gold Rings

Our 100% recycled gold wedding bands and rings are made from a sustainable form of SCS-Certified recycled gold that is refined back to purity. Recycled gold is just as pure and valuable as newly mined gold, but by opting for recycled gold you are helping to reduce the burden and negative impacts of additional gold mining. This gold wedding band is the perfect way to symbolize your unique style and love while passing on that love and care to our people, our planet, and future generations.


We source all of our 10K, 14K and 18K solid gold ring bases from Stuller. Established in 1970, Stuller has a steadfast and ongoing commitment to ethical sourcing and fair trade practices.


We are proud to work with a like-minded business that believes in an Earth First Commitment and that operates with social responsibility in mind. Stuller is certified through the Responsible Jewellery Council, which holds each company accountable for protecting the human rights of those involved in the jewelry supply chain.

GEMSTONES

1. Sleeping Beauty Turquoise

The natural aquamarine-colored turquoise used in this custom ring is a rare high-quality Sleeping Beauty Turquoise from the Globe, Arizona Sleeping Beauty mine. Considered the “Tiffany of Turquoise” and recognized as the cleanest, purest colored turquoise you’ll find. This natural turquoise is unaltered by any chemical processes and is not dyed. One of the first gemstones to ever be mined, turquoise has long been celebrated by ancient cultures as a stone of protection, wisdom, good fortune, and hope.


2. Sky Blue Campitos Turquoise

Our natural sky blue turquoise is unaltered by any chemical processes and is not dyed. Turquoise is great at adding a complimentary pop of color to just about any ring design. We use natural turquoise gemstones sourced from the Sonoran Desert. This unique sky blue turquoise gemstone contains natural flecks of glimmering pyrite.

 

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3. Green Sonoran Turquoise

This authentic natural green turquoise is sourced from the northern region of Sonora, Mexico. Sonoran turquoise is prized for it’s spectrum of vivid blue and green hues and is known to have a golden brown matrix. This green turquoise features a matrix of gold and caramel hues, making it a beautiful rustic addition to any ring.

Design your own green turquoise ring with our ring customizer.


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4. Imperial Diopside

Imperial Diopside is the highest quality of chrome diopside. It’s color ranges from a pale to deep rich green, similar to emerald. It is a rare gemstone found in frozen lands of Northern Siberia. It’s rich green color is due to trace amounts of chromium and an emblem of Earth’s stunning artistry. Known for its rich green hue, this 'Imperial' gemstone mirrors the beauty of nature, making your ring a testament to the planet's grandeur.


Shop our Imperial Diopside Ring Collection or design your own Imperial Diopside ring.

 

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5. Fossilized Amber

Taking thousands of years to form, Amber is the beautiful warm-hued byproduct of fossilized treesap resin. It’s warm, golden hues and captivating inclusions of ancient flora and fauna tell stories of prehistoric life. We guarantee the Fossilized Amber in your ring is genuine. This is a natural element sourced from The Baltic Amber deposit in northeastern Europe.


Shop our Fossilized Amber Ring Collection or design your own ring with fossilized amber.

 

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6. Lapis Lazuli

The name Lapis Lazuli originated from the Persian lazuward, "blue." This beautiful ultramarine natural gemstone has been prized for thousands of years by ancient civilizations. Lapis Lazuli is made up of several minerals including lazurite, calcite and pyrite. Our Grade AAA Royal Blue Lapis Lazuli is sourced from Afghanistan. It has a very deep and rich royal blue color.


Our Lapis Lazuli is available as a standalone inlay or add some brilliance with our silver, yellow gold, white gold, or rose gold flake options.

Shop our Lapis Lazuli Ring Collection or design your very own.

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7. Moss Agate

Moss Agate is a semi-precious gemstone known for its elegant multi dimensional green colorations, filaments and inclusions that form intricate patterns that resemble moss. Our natural moss agate is grade A++ quality from India. We love the look of moss agate in rings because the unique green variations and patterns from the multi-dimensional green stone create an elegant finished look. With its calming green hues and intricate patterns, moss agate showcases the beauty of nature as the enchanting delicate tendrils of moss-like inclusions weave through the stone.

Our Moss Agate is available as a standalone inlay or add some brilliance with our silver, yellow gold, white gold, or rose gold flake options. 

Shop our Moss Agate Ring Collection or design your own one-of-a-kind Moss Agate band.


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8. Muonionalusta Meteorite

The Muonionalusta meteorite said to be the oldest known meteorite, which impacted northern Scandinavia thousands of years ago. The first fragment was found in Kitkiöjärvi, Sweden in 1906. There are around 40 pieces of Muonionalusta meteorite known to exist. Dust and fragments from this meteorite have been used in the creation of our rings. The black dust with shimmers of silvery iron create a unique design reminiscent of the night sky and the space from which it came.

Our Muonionalust Meteorite Dust is available as a standalone inlay or add some brilliance with our silver, yellow gold, white gold, or rose gold flake options.

 

Shop our Muonionalusta Meteorite Ring Collection or design your own meteorite ring.


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9. Obsidian

Obsidian, with its intriguing jet-black hue, is a naturally occurring volcanic glass that forms when lava rich in silica cools rapidly. This ancient material, revered by various civilizations across history, has a legacy steeped in mystique and awe. Crafted by the earth's fiery vigor, obsidian's formation is a testament to the raw and uncompromising forces of nature. Prehistoric societies cherished obsidian for its razor-sharp edges, employing it for tools and weaponry. Symbolically, obsidian is often associated with protection and healing. Its story is as multi-faceted and unique as the glass itself, carrying the wisdom of the ages in its dark depths. Our obsidian is sourced from Mexico and is very clean and free impurities.

Our Obsidian is available as a standalone inlay or add some brilliance with our silver, yellow gold, white gold, or rose gold flake options.


Shop our Obsidian Ring Collection or design your very own obsidian ring.


 

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Reclaimed Wood

No two pieces of wood are identical. Therefore, no two wooden rings will ever be exactly alike. Every piece of wood is unique, and we use a wide range of reclaimed and historic woods to handcraft our rings.
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BATTLESHIP TEAK WOOD

Teak wood is prized for its beauty and the natural oils trapped in its grain, which makes it impenetrable to the elements. The unrivaled quality of teak wood has made it popular among boat builders for centuries and is also why the U.S. Navy used teak to furnish the decks of some of its most iconic battleships. We are honored to craft with reclaimed teak wood from the decks of the USS New Jersey, the USS North Carolina, and the USS California battleships.

The rings we've made from this wood are a part of history and help us connect with the life stories of all the men and women who served aboard those vessels. Shop our collection of historic battleship teak wood rings here, or customize one of your very own using our ring customizer.

1. The USS New Jersey

The USS New Jersey holds the honor of being the most decorated battleship in US history. We are proud to offer the original decking from this iconic ship as an option for your ring design.

We’ve use the USS New Jersey in a variety of our ring designs and it can be used to customize your own ring. 

2. The USS North Carolina

The USS North Carolina led every major naval offensive in WWII, earning 15 battle stars from 1941-1947. The teak wood of the ship’s original decks was made available to the public and we are excited to offer a limited collection of rings from this story filled wood.

3. The USS California

While awaiting its inspection, the USS California was sunk in the attack on Pearl Harbor. However, shortly after, the USS California was resurrected from the harbor and sent into battle in WWII. The deep history and rich coloring of this wood make it one we couldn’t pass up on offering as a part of our historic ring collection, and we especially love how it looks paired with gold in The Gold Rush.

4. The USS Alabama 

The original WWII teak deck from The USS Alabama is a limited supply piece of WWII history. The legacy of the Might A, a 45,000-ton battleship, will forever be remembered. She led the American Fleet in Tokyo Bay on September 5, 1945, was home to a crew of 2,500 courageous Americans, and earned nine Battle Stars for meritorious service during her tenure as the "Heroine of the Pacific."

The original teak wood deck planking of the USS Alabama has been recently salvaged by the USS Alabama Commission and the proceeds of our sourcing this teak deck go directly to the teak deck replacement project for the USS Alabama. The USS Alabama Battleship Commission shall "establish, operate and maintain a state memorial park to honor the Alabamians who participated so valiantly in all armed conflicts of the United States…and, as a permanent public memorial, to educate the public on the contributions and sacrifices of the veterans of all branches of the United States Armed Services in all conflicts.”

WWI & WWII Rifle Stock Wood

The Springfield 1903 rifle was the standard-issue firearm that accompanied American soldiers in the trenches of World War I. The M1 Garand rifle replaced the Springfield 1903 during World War II.

As crafters, we appreciate the tough grain of American walnut used in these stocks. We acquired several of these historic rifle stocks, which were too damaged to be suitable for rifle making but are still in perfect shape for making our WWI and WWII rings.

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Reclaimed Whiskey Barrel Wood

Whiskey barrel rings have proven to be some of our most popular products. Many whiskey aficionados savor the opportunity to make a deeper connection to their ring by selecting a whiskey barrel from their spirit of choice. We make rings using Jack Daniel's, Jim Beam, Buffalo Trace, Woodford Reserve, and many other American bourbon barrels. For those who prefer Scotch whisky, we've been able to use barrel wood from Lagavulin, Laphroaig, and others.
 
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Antique Walnut Wood

We're always looking for local sources of historic wood, and we were lucky to connect with a collector from right here in North Carolina for our antique walnut. They have helped preserve history by procuring reclaimed wood from historic barns. The walnut wood we use in many of our rings comes from a historic 19th-century tobacco barn just outside Asheville, NC. The barn is over 100 years old, and the walnut trees used in the barn's construction were at least a century old when they were cut down. Wearing this ring feels like having a tangible connection to our pioneer ancestors.
 
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Weathered Maple Wood

Weathered maple has become a popular wood choice. The combination of gray color and unique grain pattern make for a truly eye-capturing ring. We do all our weathering in-house, taking the light-colored maple wood through a natural process to produce a beautiful final product.
 

OTHER UNIQUE MATERIALS

To tell a more nuanced story, we incorporate other materials into our rings, from flower petals and meteorite dust to Celtic tartan ribbons and coffee beans. We enjoy using these remarkable materials because they tell a unique, personal story. Here are some of our favorite stories behind these alternative wedding band materials.

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1. Naturally Shed Elk Antler

Our antler rings are made using naturally shed Elk Antler. Antler is a material with just as many unique qualities as wood. No two antlers are alike, and the variations of color and grain make it an exciting material to incorporate into our rings. We source all our elk antler from a company that collects naturally shed antlers across west and middle USA. We have nothing against hunting, but we like the idea that the majestic animals these antlers came from are still roaming the wilderness.


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2. WWI Uniform Wool

 World War I U.S. uniforms are typically made of wool, a material known for its superior ability to keep a soldier warm, even when wet.
 
We acquired several pieces of WWI uniforms mostly from private individuals. In doing so, we've been able to create rings that pay tribute to those who served in the Great War.

3. Agatized Dinosaur Bone Fossil

We use authentic agatized dinosaur bone fossils found in Utah for our Dinosaur Bone Rings. This unique form of agatized dinosaur bone is created as minerals in the soil replace the cells of the dinosaur bone. The result is a reddish hue that still resembles the capillary systems of these ancient creatures. The bones are normally stand-alone and not part of a full or even partial skeleton, so it can be very difficult to identify a particular species they come from.

4. Natural Abalone Shell

The ornate Abalone Shell is a unique ocean treasure prized for centuries for its beauty and unique iridescent color variations. Our natural Abalone "Paua" shell from New Zealand, sometimes referred to as "Sea Opal", is sustainably sourced and AAA grade quality, delivering the most ornate and beautiful color selection.

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5. Megalodon Teeth

The Megalodon, the largest shark to ever roam the oceans, was a true titan of the seas. The teeth of this ancient predator hold within them the power and mystery of the deep. We source our Megalodon teeth from local divers in North Carolina, who dive for Meg teeth 50 miles off of the Carolina coast. To help preserve these ancient artifacts, we source teeth that are broken and not perfectly whole so that we can still use this extraordinary material in rings without sacrificing mint-condition fossils and allow others to revel in the beauty of The Meg for years to come. Your ring, crafted with this extraordinary material, is a symbol of timeless strength and enduring legacy.

Design your own one-of-a-kind Megalodon Shark Tooth Ring with our ring customizer.



 

Leather Rings

 We craft all our leather rings from genuine American-made leather. We source our leather from the Horween Leather Company, based in Chicago, IL. They were founded in 1905 and are one of the only leather makers still using traditional, old-world tanning techniques. It's simply the highest-quality American leather we can find.
 

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Customer Provided Materials

Of course, many of our materials come straight from you! Our customers have come to us with many great ideas over the years and sentimental materials with one question in mind, "Can you make a ring out of this?" 
These stories have touched us deeply, and we always do our best to accommodate these requests as best we can.
 A woman once came to us with wood from her late grandfather’s handmade table from 1945. Another asked us to make a ring for her nephew using wood from a church pew from his grandfather's church and the ribbon from his grandmother's bible. We've made rings using crushed rock from a couple's favorite rock climbing location. We've inlaid fabric from dresses, military uniforms, and parachutes into rings. We've crafted rings out of wood from homes, barns, and many other types of buildings. The list goes on and on...
 
We're always open to your ideas and would love to hear the stories behind the elements you want to include in your ring. If you have an idea for a band made from a material that holds special meaning for you, please send us an email at team@rusticandmain.com to let us know! We're here to tell stories and help you share your history with your loved ones.