Timber for Boxes

[Harbo]

I vaguely remember reading somewhere that certain timbers can tarnish jewelry when used for making boxes?
I know that Cedar of Lebanon is often used because of its pleasant aroma but what timbers should be avoided?
I know that lacquering the inside may overcome this problem?

Rod

 

[The_Stig]

Beech should do the job, don't use something like Iroko since its corrosive.

 

[Ironballs]

As far as I'm aware cherry, oak, ash, maple, walnut and mahogany are all fine, I'm sure there are many others as well

Cheers

Damian

 

[bjm]

Direct contact with timber will cause silver to tarnish, due to its natural acidity, but if you use a sealer there shouldn't be any problems? Apparently, wool and rubber also tarnish silver so avoid socks!!

Brian

 

[wizer]

what about if you varnish the inside?

 

[The Shark]

Hi Harbo,
Many years ago I made a jewellery box out of oak. It was finished with 2 coats of beeswax, and there has been no problem with tarnishing. SWMBO still uses it to this day!
Sorry can't help you with cedar of lebanon.

Malc

 

[joiner_sim]

I made a jewellery box out of sapele, without any thought of what the timber could do to the contents inside. However, I still lined the box and its sections with some silk material. There is a picture of it on my website's homepage.

 

[ET]

Hi, I converted an old cutlery box to chuck all my jewels in. I lined part of with heavy duty fabric and left the sides of the timber bare. I have no idea what wood it was. It's quite heavy - as well I french polished the outside and I have had no tarnishing. I have several boxs which I have converted from paint brush boxes etc where they are made of pine and again the insides are not finished - again no tarnish.

As an aside there is usually only acid in wool if it has been dyed - I will have to test the PH next time I soak some fleece to check it. It might be worthwhile chopping off a piece of wood and using a coffee blender or something else to chip it down and leave it soak for a few days in water before checking the ph.

 

[TheTiddles]

Several woods out-gas chemicals that can corrode metals or catalyse a reaction, oak being the most well known for it. However, jewellery is normally made from 'inert' metals to make them shiny for longer and the problem is normally limited to certain types of steel that have been machined (leaving lots of residual stresses) then packed directly in contact with woodshavings, a very rare and frankly stupid practice. Beyond that I woudn't worry about it.

Aidan