Materials - Aluminum

Aluminum
Inlay
Color: Silver
Strength: Hard
Notes: Aluminum is very nice to work with.  It can give a range of looks from satin brushed look, to a highly reflective polished look.

Examples:



Katalox Ring w/ Aluminum Inlay



Materials - Hematite

Hematite
Inlay
Color: Black
Strength: Medium Hardness
Notes: Hematite is a metal is stone form.  It will take on a high polish.

Examples:



Lacewood Ring w/ Hematite Inlay



Materials - Jade

Jade
Inlay
Color: Light Green to Dark Green
Strength: Medium Hardness
Notes: Jade is wonderful to work with, and has an amazing range of Greens.
Examples:



Teak Ring w/ Jade Inlay



Materials - Cork

Cork
Inlay
Color: Light Tan
Strength: Soft
Notes: Cork is very soft, but finishes nicely.  It works nicely as an inlay material, and gives very random paterns with great interest.  This would make a great gift for Wine Lovers.  If you provide me with a cork from your favorite wine, you can keep it close to you at all times.

Examples:



Claro Walnut Ring w/ Cork Inlay



Materials - Katalox

Katalox Wood
Dark Wood
Color: Purple/Black color with a creamy/golden sapwood
Strength: Strong
Notes: Katalox, or Mexican Royal Ebony, is a dense Central American hardwood. It is listed in several USDA publications as a suitable substitute for African Gabon Ebony in stringed instruments. The dark purple/black color accents well with the creamy/golden sapwood to create contrast that can be well utilized for a unique look in your projects.

Examples:

Katalox Wood w/ Mother of Pearl Inlay

Materials - Amber

Amber
Stone
Color: Dark Golden Honey to Creamy Orange
Hardness: 2-2.5 MOHS Scale. 
Notes: Amber is very soft and easy to work with.  It turns and finishes nicely.  However it is very translucent, and should be paired with a light color wood to show off the Amber Color.

Examples:

Cherry Wood w/ Baltic Amber Inlay

Materials - Coffee Wood

Coffee Wood
Medium Wood
Color: Golden Tones to Redish Tint
Strength: Strong
Notes: This wood has a grain pattern similar to Oak, but with wider grain pattern.

Examples:

Coffee Wood Small Square Plate

Materials - Lacewood

Lacewood
Medium Wood
Color: Golden Tones with Iridescent qualities
Strength: Strong and Durable
Notes: Dubbed the most workable wood in the World in the 1800s, Lacewood was originally from Australia. Now it grows in various other regions of the tropics to as far north as L.A. Other names for Lacewood are Silky Oak or Silver Oak. The dust from this wood is an irritant in 20% of the population. Beautiful pinks, reds, and golden tones combine with exceptional iridescent qualities to make this an excellent choice for many projects. Unique grain patterns with beautiful rays set this exotic hardwood apart from other woods.

Examples:

Lacewood w/ Lapis Lazuli Inlay

Materials - Honduras Rosewood

Honduras Rosewood
Dark Wood
Color: Ranges of Red
Strength: Strong and Durable
Notes: Colors range from light violets to light reds. Honduras Rosewood works well and finishes to a high natural polish. For a period of time, it was considered the only suitable Brazilian Rosewood substitute.

Examples:

Honduras Rosewood w/ Turquoise Inlay and Setting

Materials - Deer Antler

Deer Antler
Antler
Color: White to Creamy White, Bone Color
Strength: Very Strong
Notes:  Deer Antler makes a great material for turning.  The strength of the Antler holds up well for pens, keychains, and rings.  The size of the Antler gives it limitations on size however.  

The thicker the Antler, the more pores it will have in the center.  This can give pens a very interesting texture, or place for Inlay.

Examples:

Deer Antler Keychain w/ Turquoise Inlay
and Chrome Hardware




Materials - Abalone Shell

Abalone
Shell
Color: Iridescent, Ranges of White, Blue, Pink, Green.
Strength: Flaky
Notes:  Flashes as it catches the light.

Examples:



Mahogany w/ Abalone Shell

 

Materials - Padauk Wood

Padauk
Dark Wood
Color: Deep Red
Strength: Strong and Durable


Examples:



Padauk Slimline Pen w/ Brass Hardware

Materials - Crushed Red Pepper Spice

Crushed Red Pepper
Spice
Color: Red with White Seeds
Strength: Very Soft,  Does not add Strength to piece.
Notes:  Looks best on lighter wood base

Examples:

Maple w/ Crushed Red Pepper Inlay

Materials - Orange Calcite Stone

Orange Calcite
Stone
Color: Translucent White to Orange
Hardness: 3 on MOHS Scale
Notes:  Good for Inlay. Turns and Sands easy on the lathe.

Examples:

Cocobolo w/ Orange Calcite Inlay

Materials - Lapis Lazuli Stone

Lapis Lazuli
Stone
Color: Ranges from White to Deep Cobalt Blue
Hardness: 5.5 on MOHS Scale
Notes:  Good for Inlay.  Sand on Lathe.

Examples:

Maple w/ Lapis Lazuli Inlay

Materials - Turquoise Stone

Turquoise
Stone
Color: Light Blue
Hardness: 5-6 on MOHS Scale
Notes:  Good for Inlay.  Can be turned and sanded on lathe.

Examples:



Teak Wood w/ Turquoise Inlay

Materials - Copper

Copper
Metal
Notes:  Can be hammered or shaped on lathe.  Builds up heat when cutting.  Too much heat during shaping can release the glue.

Examples:

Teak Wedding Set w/ Copper Inlay

Holly w/ Copper Inlay



Osage Orange w/ Copper Veneer and
Dark Wood Edges



Padauk w/ Copper Inlay

Materials - Osage Orange Wood

Osage Orange
Light Wood
Color: Yellow w/ Brown Endgrain
Strength: Strong and Durable
Notes:  Will turn brown when exposed to Sunlight

Examples:

Osage Orange w/ Dark Wood Inlay

Osage Orange w/ Copper Veneer and
Dark Wood Edges

Osage Orange Slimine w/ Brass Hardware

Materials - Mahogany

Mahogany
Medium Color Wood
Color: Ranges from Medium to Dark Brown
Strength: Durable but Flexible when made too thin.  Best used in conjunction with another wood.
Mythical Qualities: Spiritual growth and guidance are Mahogany's primary properties.  It is an excellent wood for emotional and spiritual healing.

Examples:

Mahogany w/ Abalone Shell Inlay

Materials - Maple Wood

Maple
Light Wood
Color: Cream
Strength: Strong and Durable
Mythical Qualities: Maple is the tree of offering, giving of one's self so that other may benefit.
Notes: Plain grain, great base for Inlay

Examples:

Maple w/ Lapis Lazuli Inlay

Maple w/ Crushed Red Pepper Inlay