A Guide to Our Materials
August 22 2022 – Mike Yarbrough
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 to 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.
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.
Shop our Gold Ring Collection or design your own gold ring.
Sterlium Plus: Sterling Silver Rings
Our silver rings are handcrafted using a modern sterling silver alloy that is scratch-resistant and even more tarnish-resistant compared to standard sterling silver. Our silver rings contain no nickel and are a durable metal option ideal for daily wear.
We are proud to offer Sterlium Plus Silver. It's a unique silver alloy from Stuller that is more durable than traditional sterling silver. Due to its unique properties, Sterlium Plus is also more tarnish resistant and less likely to turn your finger green, yet still has the brilliant luster we love to see in our rings.
Shop our Silver Ring Collection or design your own silver ring.
Lightweight, Hypoallergenic Titanium Rings
Titanium! The awesomest alloy! The incredible metal! We love titanium because it's lightweight, yet an extremely hard and durable metal: considered strong as steel, but almost 50% lighter, making it an excellent choice for everyday wear. It has a warm feel compared to other metals and is both hypoallergenic and corrosion-resistant.
We crafted our titanium bands as an ode to the old Airstream trailers and the silver airplanes from the 1930s and 40s. Your ring is guaranteed to have a classy look that spans generations!
Shop our Titanium Ring Collection or design your own titanium ring.
Black Titanium Rings (BlackTi)
A distinguished and enduring choice for those seeking a bold, black metal ring that stands the test of time. Crafted from Spectore's Black Titanium (BlackTi), this exceptional material offers all the advantages of Titanium Grade 2 with the added appeal of a ceramic-like, deep black finish.
Experience the allure of a ring that is both fashionable and functional. Our Black Titanium rings boast a 100% natural finish, achieved through a proprietary alloy and process, without relying on any applied coatings. This ensures that the captivating black hue remains steadfast and unfading, reflecting the lasting commitment it symbolizes.
Choose Black Titanium for a wedding band that exudes sophistication, durability, and a timeless charm. Perfect for those who desire a ring that makes a statement, this material embodies the essence of resilience and unwavering elegance.
Will the black finish hold up to everyday use?
This is the most durable finish we've ever seen in a black metal ring. Our team has worn their rings for months, hammered them, thrown them on concrete, and essentially did all of the things we ask our customers not to do and the finish still looks amazing. In short, yes. These rings are made to last!
Shop our Black Titanium Ring Collection.
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.
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 a custom ring with Green Sonoran Turquoise on our ring customizer.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
10. Green Natural Peridot with Gold & Silver Flakes
Prized for its rich green color and unique mineral composition, peridot is a form of olivine, a mineral that is formed deep within the earth's mantle and brought to the surface through volcanic activity. It has also been found in some meteorites and comet dust. Peridot has been called the "Evening Emerald" because of its ability to keep its glow under starlight. We’ve combined real flakes of gold and silver to our peridot.
Shop our Peridot Rings or design your very own Peridot ring.
11. Rhodonite
Rhodonite is a pink manganese silicate metamorphic rock named after the Greek word “rhodo” which means “rose” due to its beautiful opaque rosy pink coloring. We source this exquisite rhodonite from Russia. It has an elegant mixture of light pink, medium pink and dusty pink hues with minor amounts of black magnesite. We love the look of the soft pinks of rhodonite in a standalone or multi-inlaid ring.
Our Rhodonite is available as a standalone inlay or add some brilliance with our silver, yellow gold, white gold, or rose gold flake options.
WOOD
1. Bloodwood
So-called because of its deep red tones, bloodwood has a truly life-giving story. In the ancient jungles of South America, where this tree is found, the sap is fed to infants as a replacement for the mother's milk.
Shop our Bloodwood Rings or design your own custom ring with bloodwood.
2. Bogwood
Bogwood are fallen trees that have been preserved for ages beneath swaps or peat bogs. As they lie there, they absorb the minerals of the bog ultimately becoming petrified wood. However, these old woods are still prized for their incredible strength and durability and are being brought back to the surface to be used for projects not suitable for younger trees.
Shop our Bogwood Rings or design your own custom ring with bloodwood.
3. Holly
The holly tree has long been a symbol of peace and goodwill. It is the whitest wood we have available.
Design your own custom ring with Holly.
4. Juniper
Juniper, a tree deeply rooted in history and mythology, is an exquisite wood to feature in a ring. Juniper wood carries a sense of rugged resilience, as these trees are often found flourishing in harsh climates, their twisted forms testament to their endurance. Revered by many ancient cultures, the Juniper tree was a symbol of protection, purification, and strength. Its wood bears an ethereal, creamy hue, typically interspersed with rich, earthy knots, providing an aesthetic as unique as the tree's rich legacy. The aromatic fragrance of Juniper wood has been valued for centuries, a characteristic scent that serves as a tactile reminder of the wild and untamed regions where these trees grow in abundance. In essence, Juniper wood presents an intimate connection to nature's wild beauty and resilient spirit.
Shop The Ancient One Juniper Ring or design your own custom stackable ring with juniper wood.
5. African Teak
The Iroko tree is native to the West Coast of Africa and can live up to 500 years. It is sometimes referred to as African Teak but is unrelated to the Teak family. It is believed to have healing properties. The wood color is initially yellow but darkens to a richer copper brown over time.
Design a custom ring with African Teak wood.
6. Hawaiian Koa
Koa is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, where it is the second most common tree. The word “koa” means “warrior” in Hawaiian. The warriors of King Kamehameha the Great created canoes and weapons from the wood plentiful on the Big Island of Hawaii. This wood became synonymous with the warriors themselves, and it became known as koa. Its name in the Hawaiian language, Koa, also means brave, bold, or fearless.
Shop our koa rings or design your own custom ring with koa.
7. Mahogany
Mahogany is revered for its rich color and enduring strength. The deep, warm tones of mahogany evoke a sense of timeless elegance and connection to the Earth, symbolizing a profound relationship with the wilderness. This mahogany is a reminder that nature's wonder transcends boundaries, uniting us in admiration and stewardship of our world.
Shop our mahogany rings or design your own custom ring with mahogany.
8. Weathered Maple Wood
9. Mesquite Wood
Mesquite wood is a strong, dependable wood used by early settlers. Needing a wood that was hardy enough to withstand the dry summer without cracking and warping, mesquite was used in early Spanish missions, ranch houses, and fencing. The mesquite wood we use in ring designs is resilient and has a beautiful finish.
Shop our mesquite rings or design your own custom ring with mesquite.
10. Rosewood
Rosewood has been the wood of choice in Asian artistry since ancient times. Used to craft statues, ornamental boxes, and furniture, rosewood's deep brown and reddish hues work well for just about any style.
Shop our rosewood rings or design your own custom ring with rosewood.
RECLAIMED WOOD
BATTLESHIP TEAK WOOD
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
3. The USS California
4. The USS Alabama
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.
Reclaimed Whiskey Barrel Wood
Antique Walnut Wood
OTHER UNIQUE MATERIALS
1. Army OCP
OCP stands for Operational Camouflage Pattern and is the official fatigues of the US Army. We use authentic uniform fabric in our rings. We can even use the uniform fabric you provide.
Shop our Military Ring Collection or design your own custom ring with uniform fabric.
2. Bachelor’s Button Flowers
Bachelor’s Button is a striking blue wildflower flower that takes on a unique multidimensional hue when crafted into a ring. Our unique selection of hand-pressed blue Bachelor’s Button flowers is sustainably grown by a small family-owned farm in Seattle, Washington. Each flower is carefully pressed, sorted, selected, and crafted into your ring, giving the band a beautiful blue inlay made from the highest-quality selection of florals.
Shop our Bachelor Button Rings or design your very own Bachelor Button Floral Ring.
3. AAA Tahitian Black Mother of Pearl
Black mother of pearl has been used for millennia to accent everything from jewelry to weaponry. The iridescent, pearl-like substance comes from the inner lining of oyster shells. Black mother of pearl is made of the minerals found in mollusks like oysters and abalone, known as nacre, which is naturally formed by the mollusks to fortify their homes.
4. Blue Ridge Coral
Also referred to as Heliopora Coerulea, living Blue Ridge Coral tends to have a purple brown exterior, with its skeleton having a vibrant bright blue color. Blue Ridge Coral makes a striking statement in a ring design and pays homage to the beautiful reefs that shelter sea life around the world.
Design your own custom ring with blue ridge coral.
5. Chrysanthemum & Lilac Petals
In the language of flowers, chrysanthemums are associated with friendship, loyalty, and devotion. In general, the chrysanthemum is regarded as a symbol of beauty, optimism, and joy.
Representative of purity, innocence, and the emotions of youth, lilacs have adorned the homes of romantics for decades. Today, lilacs are often associated with springtime and are a beloved flower for their delicate beauty and sweet fragrance.
Shop our Floral Rings or design your very own Lilac & Chrysanthemums Floral Ring.
6. Coast Guard Uniform Fabric
We use genuine Coast Guard dress uniforms in some of our rings designs. The light blue is from the standard Coast Guard blue dress shirt and the dark navy color is from the dark blue dress trousers.
Shop our Military Ring Collection or design your own custom ring with uniform fabric.
7. Vintage Coffee
We were able to obtain an unopened Hills Bros coffee can from 1941. The coffee inside was still fresh (they really knew how to make stuff back then) and has a great vintage story.
Though we can enjoy coffee in an endless stream today, this has not always been the case. Coffee rationing in WWII began in 1942 - families could only get one pound every five weeks - and the rationing didn't end until 1946. There were a few reasons for this. Firstly, the GIs needed coffee in the field. Secondly, German U-boats were sinking boats with coffee shipments from Brazil making coffee hard to get.
Rationed coffee was packaged in glass containers, which were not only reusable but also saved precious tin resources for the troops. That this coffee could be purchased in a can was a sign that the war had ended.
For us, the idea of an unopened can of coffee sitting in the back of someone's pantry for so many years is a reminder of the frugality of that great generation which was permanently impressed upon them during the war.
Shop our coffee rings or design your own custom coffee ring.
8. USAF Flight Suit
We handcrafted some of our ring designs with vintage US Air Force flight suit fabric. While the material begins as the well-known olive drab color, it darkens to deep green in a finished ring.
Shop our Military Ring Collection or design your own custom ring with uniform fabric.
9. 30A Florida Sand
This hand-collected sand from the idyllic 30A shores is a tangible reminder of the sun-kissed memories and seaside serenity that this picturesque region offers. Experience the rhythm of the gentle waves and the warmth of the pristine sands, encapsulated forever in an exquisite ring.
Shop our Coastal Ring Collection or design a custom ring with your own sand!
10. Guitar String
We love how amazing acoustic nickel or bronze guitar string looks in a ring design. If you'd like to supply your own string, we can likely make that happen. We prefer an A string, medium, ideally 0.036 gauge string but can likely make yours work.
Shop our Guitar String Ring Collection or design your own custom guitar string ring.
11. Marine Desert MARPAT
We utilize a genuine USMC Desert MARPAT uniform in some of our ring designs. MARPAT is short for Marine Pattern and is the camo pattern worn by the US Marines and US Navy.
Shop our Military Ring Collection or design your own custom ring with uniform fabric.
12. Mother of Pearl
Mother of Pearl has been used for millennia to accent everything from jewelry to weaponry. This iridescent, pearl-like substance comes from the inner lining of oyster shells, making it a beautiful addition to any ring design. Mother of pearl is made of the minerals found in mollusks like oysters and abalone, known as nacre, which is naturally formed by the mollusks to fortify their home.
Shop our Mother of Pearl Rings or design a custom mother of pearl ring!
13. Naturally Shed Elk Antler
14. Orange Spiny Oyster Shells
These spiny oyster shells, harvested from the deep, resonate with Native American heritage, serving as timeless emblems of wealth and protection in many tribes.
Shop our Coastal Ring Collection or design a custom ring with your own shells!
15. Red Lilies
As a symbol of purity, innocence, and love, lilies are a perfect fit for a wedding band, representing both the bride's beauty and the couple's devotion to one another. The intricate and delicate petals of the lily can also be seen as a metaphor for the complexities and beauty of marriage, reminding the couple to cherish each other's unique qualities and to work together to create something truly beautiful.
Shop our Red Lily Rings or design your own custom red lily ring.
16. Rose Petals & Gold Flakes
The red rose has symbolized passionate love since ancient times. These stunning dried rose petals delicately accented with hand-placed gold flakes capture the vibrance of a love ever in bloom.
Shop our Floral Rings or design your own custom ring with roses & gold flakes.
17. Tartan
The Tartan patterns for Scottish and Irish clans hail back centuries, to a time of kings and queens, warriors and clans. Proud Scots and Irish all over the world still connect with their ancestors of yore.
As RL Stevenson says, "For that is the mark of the Scot of all classes . . . there burns alive in him a sense of identity with the dead, even to the twentieth generation."
We have many popular tartans already in-house. You can see the list of tartans that we carry here.
If you need a tartan that we don't carry, you can likely find it here.
When ordering the tartan, you can have it mailed to us directly from House of Tartan or you can have it mailed to you and send us about 10" of the fabric.
Tip: Some of the colors in the tartan may be cut off in order to fit the ribbon into the design. Keep in mind that the tartan will darken considerably when inlaid into the ring. Tartans that are lighter in color seem to do best in our designs.
* Information gathered from the Scottish Register of Tartans
Shop our Celtic Ring Collection or design your own custom tartan wood or titanium ring.
18. 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.
19. Agatized Dinosaur Bone Fossil
20. 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.
21. 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.