A lot of wooden rings get sold as eco friendly just because they're made of wood. But if a tree got cut down to make your ring, that's still new material. The most eco friendly wooden rings are the ones made from wood that already existed.
That's what I do. Every ring I make comes from a recycled skateboard deck. Here's why I think recycled wood jewelry is the better way to go, and where I'm upfront about what isn't perfect.
What Makes a Wooden Ring Eco Friendly?
When you're looking at sustainable jewelry, I'd ask three questions:
Where does the material come from? Is it new, or is it reused?
How is it made? By hand in small batches, or mass produced?
How long will it last? Something you wear for years beats something you replace every few months.
Recycled skateboard rings do pretty well on all three.
Recycled Wood vs New Wood
Most wooden rings start with fresh lumber or veneer. That wood might come from responsible sources, but it's still new wood being cut for jewelry.
Skateboard rings skip that step. A skateboard deck is already made. It's seven layers of maple pressed together, it already got used, and once it's done, it usually ends up in the trash. Turning it into a ring means no new trees for your jewelry. The wood just gets a second life.
So far I've turned 50+ decks into rings, and I'm just getting started.
Recycled Wood vs Metal Rings
Traditional metal rings usually start with mining. Gold, silver, and other metals take a lot of digging and processing to get out of the ground.
My all wood rings are completely skateboard. The steel insert version does have a stainless steel band on the inside, so it's not 100% recycled material. I'm not going to pretend otherwise. But the wood part is still a board that would've been thrown away, and the steel adds structure so the ring lasts even longer.
The Finish (Being Honest)
Every Bayshore ring gets a hard CA finish. CA is a synthetic coating. Some brands will tell you their wood jewelry is 100% natural, and I'm not going to do that.
Here's why I use it anyway. The finish seals the wood and protects it from everyday wear, so the ring lasts way longer. A ring you keep for years is a lot more sustainable than one that falls apart and gets tossed. For me, durability wins.
Handmade, Small Batch, One Person
There's no factory behind Bayshore Rings. It's me. Every ring gets cut, shaped, sanded, finished, and polished by hand. I make them one at a time. (The full process is in how skateboard rings are made.)
Small batch means no overproduction and no warehouse full of stuff nobody buys.
Built to Last
Maple is one of the toughest hardwoods out there, which is exactly why skateboard companies use it. Seven layers glued and pressed together make it even stronger. I haven't had a ring break yet.
Take care of it and it'll stick around. The main thing is keeping it away from long soaks in water. Here's my skateboard ring care guide.
The Packaging
Every ring ships in a wooden box with a card and a sticker. The box is meant to be kept, so your ring has a home when it's not on your hand.
Looking for a Sustainable Wedding Band?
A lot of people find skateboard rings while looking for a sustainable men's wedding band or an alternative wooden wedding ring. It's honestly a great fit. It's recycled, it's one of one, and it actually means something. Here's how to choose between styles: all wood vs steel insert skateboard wedding bands.
FAQ
Are wooden rings eco friendly?
They can be, but it depends where the wood comes from. Rings made from recycled wood, like old skateboard decks, don't require cutting any new trees.
What is the most sustainable ring material?
Reused materials are usually the most sustainable choice. Recycled skateboard wood gives a second life to maple that would otherwise be thrown away.
Are skateboard rings 100% natural?
The wood is real maple, but Bayshore rings use a hard CA finish for durability, and the steel insert style has a stainless steel inner band.
What is recycled wood jewelry?
Jewelry made from wood that already had a first life, like furniture, barrels, or skateboard decks, instead of freshly cut lumber.