Holly Wooden Jewelry Clasp

Holly looks almost unreal. There is no contrast between early and late wood so you don’t see annual rings. Holly is an evergreen and grows slowly as long as the temperature is above freezing. Many cultures including the Romans, the Druids and the Japanese have felt that holly is sacred. In fact, the name "holly" comes from the word "holy."

When carefully finished it looks like stone or something other than wood. Holly is not used commercially, and few people have ever seen something made of holly. Older craftsmen used it for inlay in darker woods because of the color contrast.

This tree also came from my Virginia farm. I have no idea how old it was but it had been there as long as I could remember so I suspect it was over a hundred years old as I am in my seventieth year.