Have you wondered what is the difference between wooden versus resin jewellery? Well, this comprehensive guide unravels the insightful facts every jewelry artist must be aware of.
Before we talk about the differences, one of the common aspects between wooden and resin jewelry is they are both are environment-friendly. Resin is a very broad term hence I recommend epoxy, eco-resin, and UV resin.
Today, I will walk you through thirteen important facts on both kinds of jewellery that will help you get clarity on these materials. Pay attention and understand the difference.
Wooden Versus Resin Jewellery | 13 Must-Know Facts
Wooden versus resin jewellery is the most commonly raised query by customers and designers today. The following attributes will help you clarify all your confusions and help entrepreneurs deliver the best in class products and customer service.
| WOODEN JEWELRY | RESIN JEWELRY |
| IS IT PRONE TO SKIN ALLERGIES? | |
| Not prone to skin allergies | Less Prone to Skin Allergies |
| IT IS EXPENSIVE? | |
| Inexpensive | Expensive |
| DOES IT REQUIRE POLISHING? | |
| Requires Varnish for Polishing | Requires quality sealer |
| HOW FAST IS THE SANDING PROCESS? | |
| Fast Sanding Wood Process | Long Sanding Process |
| COMPARING THE JEWELRY WEIGHT | |
| Light-weighted | Slightly Heavy Weight |
| CRAFTING TIME | |
| Crafting is Fast and Easy | Crafting takes longer time |
| CAN IT BE CARVED? | |
| Can be Carved | Only if resin doesn’t melt |
| IS IT TOXIC? | |
| Non-Toxic | Some resins are Toxic |
| HOW THEY CAN BE MADE? | |
| Can be made from scrap wood | Require resin and hardener |
| TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT | |
| Can be Crafted at any temperature | Requires Specific Temperature |
| RECOMMENDED JEWELRY TYPE FOR CRAFTING | |
| Balsa and Pinewood is recommended | Eco-Resin is recommended |
| DOES IT PRODUCE ODOR? | |
| Odorless Jewelry | Produces some odor |
| WHICH IS MATERIAL IS BEST? | |
| Balsa wood is best for beginners | Epoxy resin is recommended |
A Comparative Analysis of Wooden versus Resin Jewellery – Read Carefully
Going further in detail, I will explain all the above points on wooden versus resin jewellery. Both are very demanding in the fashion industry. Let us understand its intricacies and decide which one is the best to begin at home.
1. Is it Harmful to your Skin?
Wooden jewellery is a better accessory and comfortable for the wearer for a longer time. It is not harmful to your skin as compared to resin jewellery.
However, if you are using eco-resin or pure epoxy resin, they are not harmful to your skin and you can surely go ahead making beautiful jewellery pieces at home.
2. Wooden versus Resin Jewellery – Which is Expensive?
Wooden jewellery is incredibly light-weighted and thus making it very cost-effective jewellery for designers even for selling purpose whereas resin jewellery is slightly costlier.
For beginners, you can start making jewellery using leftover wood, get fancy shapes using manual tools or dremel, or get access to laser cutter technology.
3. Does it require Polishing? Let’s find out
Wooden jewellery requires varnish or beeswax that makes the jewellery shine and stunning piece. To polish resin jewellery, it is best to consider quality sealer spray and gives the best results.
There are large varieties to polish resin jewellery such as car wax, plastic resin shine gloss can be considered but I recommend resin spray sealer.
4. Comparing the Sanding Process Time of Wooden and Resin Jewelry
If we compare both wooden and resin jewellery in terms of the sanding process, wooden jewellery takes less time in sanding as compared to resin jewellery.
Reason being, to sand resin jewellery pieces you have to use different kinds of sandpaper grits to make it look perfect and that’s a long process but it gives a perfect glossy effect. Additionally, Some resin requires wet-sanding.
5. Wooden Versus Resin – Which Jewellery is Lighter in Weight?
As far as weight is concerned, wooden jewellery is lighter in weight and thus making it cheaper for sellers to earn a decent income as compared to resin jewellery.
But resin jewellery looks so attractive and glossy that your customer won’t take long to buy this kind of jewellery no matter is slightly expensive or heavier.
6. TAT (Turn Around Time) to Make Jewellery
If we compare the total turnaround time in crafting both kinds of jewellery, resin jewellery takes longer as compared to wooden jewellery due to the long sanding process.
Resin jewellery requires mixing two important compounds i.e epoxy resin and hardener in equal proportions whereas wooden jewellery isn’t that complex craft.
7. Can Both Jewellery be Carved?
Carving wooden jewellery is a very popular art that originated centuries and is practiced worldwide. Wooden jewellery can be carved manually as well as using Dremel machine and thus saving a lot of time in getting fancy wood shapes.
Resin jewellery, on the other hand, can be carved only if the resin doesn’t melt. In other words, make sure they aren’t exposed to extreme temperatures.
8. Are They Toxic Materials?
Wooden and resin jewellery are undoubtedly non-toxic materials but some resins are toxic that causes skin problems and respiratory issues.
That is why I strongly recommend quality resins such as eco-resin and UV resin and they are largely preferred nowadays.
9. What is the Material Requirement of Wooden and Resin Jewelry?
Wooden jewellery can easily be made using scrap wood and thus a way more easy and fun craft in terms of availability and cost-effectiveness.
To make beautiful resin jewellery you need two crucial ingredients in equal proportions i.e epoxy resin and hardener. Hence purchasing is required.
10. Minimum Temperature Requirement for Crafting
To craft resin jewellery at home, you need a specific temperature i.e 18 to 35-degree Fahrenheit. Note that, it takes a long time to dry in low temperatures. Therefore, a specific temperature is required for making resin jewellery.
Wooden jewellery doesn’t require any specific temperature and is thus recommended for newbie jewellery designers.
11. Recommended Jewellery Material – Which is the Best?
If you are planning to choose the best wood type for making jewellery pieces at home. Balsa and Pinewood are recommended for beginners being light in weight and thereby make your woodworking easier.
For beginners, epoxy resin is a great idea to start with, just make sure you take extra precautions. Wear latex hand gloves and a face mask while preparing resin at home. Another better options are eco-resin or UV resin for making jewellery.
12. Which Jewelry produces odor? Wooden or Resin?
Wooden jewellery is an incredible material that does not produce any odor after piercing. I have written a detailed blog stating reasons to make wooden jewellery at home that will help you get more clarity.
However, some resin types produce odor because of their chemical properties. If you choose the best quality material, then you won’t experience a foul smell. So, choose the best resin to craft jewellery at home.
13. Choosing the best material for both Wooden and Resin Jewelry
If you are a newbie in wooden jewellery, my suggestion to you is to go straight for Balsa wood being the lightest wood amongst all wood types. I have written a detailed blog on the types of wood. You can surely go ahead and read the guide.
To craft resin jewellery at home, my top recommendation for beginners is to begin your project with epoxy resin or eco-resin whichever is available with you. They are incredibly the best materials.
Wooden or Resin Jewellery – Which is the Best Craft for you?
I would say both jewellery crafts are wonderful in their own ways. You can choose any of them or both but make sure you take safety precautions before you begin crafting at home.
However, as far as the difficulty level is concerned, start with wooden jewellery by using ready supplies then slowly shift towards woodworking and make your original handmade jewellery piece at home.
Once you practice you’ll soon master this craft. After all the path of success lies in making things on your own. Take the plunge and start at your own pace.
Which Jewellery has the Highest demand?
Well, based on my research, I have discovered customers are falling in love with resin jewellery. I’m happy to share a very inspiring story of two sisters expanding their resin jewellery brand.
Handcarved wooden jewellery is timeless and practiced worldwide. By the way, I came across very useful research conducted by the International Journal of System Assurance Engineering and Management stating wood carving skills are passed by one generation and they are ever-growing global competition.
Based on the above trends, it is quite hard to conclude which one is better? Well, both are very popular crafts. I recommend you start with wooden jewellery making, learn, and move on to resin jewellery crafts.
I hope this blog has brought clarity on wooden versus resin jewellery. You can decide and choose the best jewellery craft based on the above crucial points and materials availability. Make your own ethereal handmade creations and inspire the world.
Feel free to share your thoughts, ideas, or suggestions with me in the comment section. Thank you for reading my blog. Happy Crafting!