What kind of wood and non-toxic finish do I need for this project?

Question

I am looking to carve a piece of body jewelry out of wood. While the actual carving isn't an issue, I am unsure of what kind of wood and finish I should use. I need a wood that has some weight to it & preferably one that is dark or cherry colored. I also need to know what kind of finish to use so that the wood to absolutely seal the wood so that the finished piece will take on no smells, will be easy to wash, and it (most importantly) won't irritate the skin. I was thinking that a few coats of matte acrylic varnish might do, but I'm open to suggestions.

Please let me know what you think would work!

Answer 1

Birch and Oak are light-colored woods. Walnut is dense and it's dark. You can find aerosol cans of lacquer at nice hardware stores. It dries fast and won't irritate your skin.

Answer 2

Would not use anything w/ an open grain.

A naturally dark  hardwood  would be best since  it will be in contact w/ skin & no stain would be needed.

Constantines , Bronx , NY & other specialty online stores have

rare hardwoods  of  various colors & grain in smaller pieces .

As for a finish ? .....might not need any at all.

Buffing / burnishing alone  might be enough  for an oily wood & the harder the wood the higher the shine

A rub w/ natural wax like Carnauba or beeswax  will show off the grain ,would be better than any kind of acrylic coating & will  get better w/ use & age the same  way  as briar tobacco pipes .

Best regards

Answer 3

Birch or Oak. Birch is more expensive but heavier. Then seal and stain and coat. I don't have experience with acrylic varnish finish. I know from using polyeurathane that contact with the body is okay, because I use it on food table tops and indoor furniture and we sit on it. But, for washing see, you need something durable. Spar eurathane is for outdoor furniture and once it dries it is okay for skin contact and it is washable. But not before it dries thoroughly; it is highly chemically volatile. Very expensive but that is the right stuff.

I'll look into your acrylic varnish you're teaching me something.