Walnut, Maple, Pine or Exotic Wood: Choosing the Wood for Your Jewelry Stand

Oct 26, 2026by Han Ma

Every HanHanCraft jewelry stand pairs solid brass bars with a solid wood base. The brass sets the line; the wood sets the mood. The same stand looks Scandinavian in maple, warm and classic in walnut, and like a one-off sculpture in ziricote. This guide explains how the woods we use differ, so you can pick the one that suits your space and how you'll use it.

The short answer

Maple if you want a light, clean, modern look that shows off gold and colourful stones.
Walnut if you want warmth and contrast, especially with gold-tone and brass pieces.
Pine if you want a lighter-weight, budget-friendly stand, or a dyed finish (walnut or espresso).
Exotic woods if the stand itself is a statement piece: every base has its own grain, and no two are alike.

How the woods compare

Hardness is measured with the Janka test: the force needed to press a small steel ball halfway into the wood. Higher numbers mean the base resists dents from rings, clasps and everyday knocks better.

Wood	Colour	Hardness (Janka, approx.)	Character
Eastern white pine	Pale cream to light yellow	~380 lbf	Soft, light, visible knots and grain; takes dye well
Black walnut	Chocolate brown, purple-grey hints	~1,010 lbf	Rich, even grain; ages to a warmer brown
Hard (sugar) maple	Creamy white	~1,450 lbf	Very hard, fine and even grain; stays light
Sapele	Reddish brown, ribbon stripe	~1,510 lbf	Shimmering striped figure
Zebrawood	Cream with dark brown stripes	~1,830 lbf	Bold, graphic stripes
Ziricote	Dark brown with black "landscape" figure	~1,970 lbf	Dramatic, spidery patterns
Bubinga	Pinkish to reddish brown	~2,410 lbf	Very hard and heavy; often with a wavy figure
Olive	Cream to yellow with dark streaks	Very hard	Swirling, marbled grain
Chakteviga	Deep reddish brown	Very hard	Dense tropical hardwood with fine grain
Spalted maple	Pale with dark lines	Varies	Natural "ink line" patterns from spalting; each piece unique

Figures are typical published values and vary from board to board.

Maple: light, crisp and very durable

Hard maple is one of the hardest North American woods, and it shows: a maple base shrugs off the small dents a jewelry stand collects over the years. Its pale, fine grain keeps attention on the jewelry, so it works especially well for gold, coloured gemstones and anything you want to read clearly in a photo. Maple stays light as it ages, with a gentle shift toward honey.

Choose maple for: bright, minimal rooms; product photography; boutiques with white or light-oak fixtures.

Walnut: warm, rich contrast

Black walnut is the classic furniture hardwood. Its deep brown makes brass and gold-tone pieces glow, and silver stands out crisply against it. It is a little softer than maple but still a true hardwood, and over time it mellows from cool chocolate to a warmer brown.

Choose walnut for: dressers and wood-toned bedrooms; mid-century interiors; displays of brass, gold and pearls.

Pine: light, affordable and easy to tone

Eastern white pine is much softer than maple or walnut, which makes it lighter and more affordable, with a relaxed, natural look. Because pine takes colour evenly, we also offer it in walnut dye and espresso dye, so you can get a darker tone at a lower price. Being soft, it will show small dents more easily; many people like the lived-in character this gives.

Choose pine for: a first stand or gift; kids' and teens' rooms; a darker look on a budget.

Exotic woods: one-of-a-kind bases

Our exotic wood stands are made in small batches from bubinga, olive, sapele, chakteviga, ziricote, zebrawood and spalted maple. These woods are generally harder and denser than domestic species, and their figure is the point: the stripes of zebrawood, the dark landscapes of ziricote, the marbled swirls of olive. Because every board is different, the stand you receive will not look exactly like the photo, and that is part of the appeal.

Choose exotic wood for: a statement piece on a vanity or in a shop window; gifts for someone who appreciates materials; small, curated boutique displays.

Clear, beeswax or dyed: choosing a finish

Clear finish protects the wood and keeps its natural colour, with a smooth, matte surface.
Beeswax finish (on maple and walnut) is a natural, hand-applied finish with a soft, satin feel. It slightly deepens the wood's colour and can be refreshed over the years with a little beeswax polish.
Walnut and espresso dyes (on pine) give a darker tone while keeping the grain visible.

Where our wood comes from

All our wood, including the exotic species, is FSC-certified, and every species that grows locally (pine, maple and walnut) is sourced locally. Exotic woods are bought in small quantities and used for limited runs.

Caring for a wooden jewelry stand

Dust with a soft, dry cloth and keep the stand away from water and direct heat, which can dry or warp any wood. The brass bars will naturally darken over time; polish them with a brass cleaner if you prefer them bright, or let them develop a warm patina. Beeswax-finished bases can be refreshed with a light coat of beeswax polish.

Which wood should you choose?

If you're still unsure, start from your jewelry: maple for gold and colour, walnut for brass, pearls and silver, pine for a light, casual look, and exotic wood when the stand should be as memorable as what it holds. Browse the LUNA collection, the Classic collection and the Exotic Wood collection, or ask us about a custom stand in the wood, size and bar material of your choice.