In a small Pennsylvania workshop, Nathan carefully carves exotic hardwoods into one-of-a-kind wedding bands, each ring bearing the weight of a deeply personal story. His business, LMNA Wood Rings, takes its name from the first initials of his four children, including Nicholas, who was lost shortly before his identical twin brother was born.
Unlike mass-produced wooden rings that feature thin veneers and claim uniqueness while churning out hundreds of identical pieces, Nathan’s approach centers on true craftsmanship. Each ring begins as an individual wood blank, hand-carved to showcase the natural grain patterns that make every piece genuinely distinctive.
The workshop sources materials ranging from African blackwood and cocobolo to reclaimed Jack Daniels whiskey barrels. Some designs incorporate cores of ceramic, titanium, or stainless steel for added durability, while others feature inlays of opal, meteorite, dinosaur bones, and other fossils. This attention to material selection and design ensures that customers receive rings that stand apart from conventional wedding bands.
A portion of every purchase supports Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, an organization that provided the family with professional photography services during their loss. The charity connects families experiencing stillbirth with volunteer photographers who capture precious memories at no cost.
Nathan personally tests each ring design for durability and aesthetics before offering it to customers. If a completed ring doesn’t meet his standards, he starts over rather than compromise on quality. This commitment extends to customer communication, with Nathan handling inquiries directly and providing updates throughout the creation process.
The business philosophy embraces transparency about the competitive landscape of artisan ring making. Rather than claiming superiority over other craftspeople, Nathan acknowledges that customers should choose rings that match their personal style and preferences, whether from his workshop or elsewhere.
Supporting other small businesses forms another cornerstone of the company’s operations. Materials come from fellow small business suppliers rather than large corporate retailers, creating a network of independent craftspeople and vendors.
Each ring emerges from the workshop with slight variations in thickness and symmetry that reflect its handmade nature. These minor differences, far from being flaws, serve as evidence of the human touch behind every piece. The exotic and domestic hardwoods used in production include purpleheart, zebrawood, curly maple, and olive wood, among others.
For those seeking wedding bands that tell a story beyond their materials, LMNA Wood Rings offers an alternative to mass-produced jewelry. The combination of genuine craftsmanship, meaningful charitable giving, and personal customer service creates rings that carry significance beyond their physical beauty.