Live Edge Ironwood with Agate and Copper Inlay: Wall or Display Art. The dimensions are 16” long, 8 to 16 ¼ “ in height and 1.25” in width.    

Available at The Finer Arts Gallery in Cave Creek.

Desert Ironwood “Olneya tesota” is found the Southwest US and northwestern Mexico. The tree can grow up to thirty feet and have a trunk between one and two feet thick; although many desert ironwood trees are smaller in stature. The wood is extremely hard living up to the term “iron”. It has incredible color with heartwood typically being a rich dark brown with black or sometimes violet streaks. It can also have overtones of orange, yellow and a deep red. The sapwood is a highly contrasting yellow and gold.  

The stone inlay is agate which is made up of cryptocrystalline silica with quartz. Agate is a variety of colors and is typically associated with volcanic rocks. Copper is very malleable and has a beautiful reddish-brown color. Copper pellets are part of the inlay; they are from the upper peninsula in northern Michigan. Copper powder is also part of the inlay. It is found in multiple states in the U.S. including Utah, Arizona, Montana, Michigan and New Mexico. 

The finish contains three coats of Tung oil; sanded after each coat. Tung oil brings out the unique characteristics of the wood. To maintain the beauty of the ironwood avoid using cleaning solutions instead use water in a damp rag. Remove the excess moisture with a clean towel. Wood does expand and contract making it subject to slight checking, cracking and movement. To minimize wood movement cracking, checking or slight warping and for polishing use a beeswax solution such as Howard Feed-N-Wax or Artisan Lemon Oil Wax is good. Just follow the directions from the manufacturer. Questions, you can call us anytime at 206-679-4084. Enjoy!