Koa Jewelry

Koa Jewelry

More than two centuries ago, early Hawaiians used Koa wood for utilitarian items such as canoes, spears, weapons and bowls. More recently, legendary surfer Duke Kahanamoku popularized the Koa longboard surfboard riding epic waves across Waikiki Beach. In the past 60 years, Martin & MacArthur has been at the forefront of designing and making fine Koa furniture.
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Today, Martin & MacArthur craftsmen design a unique collection of Koa jewelry to honor Hawaii’s most beautiful wood. Our craftsmen use beautiful Koa as a gemstone, creating cabochons and Koa pearls to adorn our jewelry collections. Koa wood jewelry is now highly valued for its exquisite beauty.

Types of Koa Wood Jewelry 

1. Koa Necklaces and pendants: Our craftsmen use carved koa wood, koa cabochons and koa pearls to create fashion jewelry set in 14K Gold or Rhodium plating. Some styles are accented with mother-of-pearl or lava from Java. 

Types of koa necklaces and pendants

  • Pendants: Koa wood pendants are frequently carved into various forms, including hearts, teardrops, and abstract patterns. They can be paired with diamonds, silver, or gold, among other materials.
  • Koa pearl or beaded necklaces: For extra texture and color, koa wood pearls are occasionally combined with other natural materials like bone, shell, or turquoise.
  • Necklaces with intricate carvings: These delightfully carved koa wood items display our Hawaiian artists' skill and workmanship. Our designs have modern patterns or traditional Hawaiian symbols.
  • Necklaces with inlay: We inlay koa wood into metal settings to produce a visually impressive contrast between the two materials. These items frequently have a stylish, contemporary appearance.

2. Koa Rings: Martin & MacArthur Koa Eternity Rings are the only rings made with our private stock of super curly Koa from the Big Island. Our Koa rings come in a variety of styles including Paua shell, Damascus Steel, Black Cobalt, genuine Opal and 14K Gold plated. Guaranteed fit.

3. Koa Bracelets: Martin & MacArthur koa wood bracelets come in various styles made by Kauai craftsmen Dottie Bergen and our own private artisan partners. We have a wide variety of styles, some with polished Koa pearls and koa cabochons.

4. Koa Earrings: Koa wood earrings are highly prized because koa wood is an important part of Hawaiian heritage. Koa earrings go beyond simple accessories. They represent the beauty of the islands. Koa wood earrings are a stylish accent to any outfit and are also a thoughtful gift, with a timeless appeal and a unique link to Hawaii.

Martin & MacArthur has the styles of Koa wood earrings to match your lifestyle and outfit. Our koa earrings are designed with a combination of techniques including precision laser-cutting and carved koa cabochons in every design imaginable. The koa in our earrings has smooth, polished surfaces or complex carvings, depending on the style.

Types of koa earrings

  • Studs: Understated yet sophisticated, koa wood studs are ideal for daily wear. They feature koa wood set in hypoallergenic metal. Absolutely no nickel is used in our koa jewelry.
  • Dangling: This style of koa earrings highlights the organic beauty of the koa wood with more free-flowing designs. The Koa is often combined with other materials such as gemstones, Swarovski crystal or dichroic glass
  • Hoop Earrings: Koa wood hoops earrings are constructed with koa wood inlays. They are fashionable and visually striking.
  • Earrings with Carvings: We make some koa wood earrings with elaborate carvings that highlight the artistry and lend a traditional or artistic elegance.

When Buying Hawaiian Wood Earrings:

  • Verify Authenticity: Make sure the earrings are constructed from natural Hawaiian wood, namely koa wood. There are many imposter woods that claim to be Koa, but Koa wood only grows in Hawaii. Acacia wood is not koa wood. Acacia is the broader genus or family, but koa is the species that only grows in Hawaii.
  • Check Craftsmanship: Examine the craftsmanship by looking for tight fits and fine finishes. The workmanship needs to be polished and flowing.

Care and Maintenance of Hawaiian Koa Wood Jewelry

To keep Koa Jewelry beautiful and long-lasting, follow these guidelines.

  • Avoid Water: To prevent damage, take off your jewelry before taking a shower, going swimming, or doing any other activity that can expose it to water.
  • Clean Gently: Avoid using abrasive or harsh chemicals when cleaning the jewelry; use a soft, dry cloth instead.
  • Oil Treatment: To keep the wood from drying up and preserve its sheen, occasionally add a little layer of mineral oil.