Our Desert Ironwood is sourced responsibly from Arizona and Northern Mexico, from the lower reaches of the Sonoran desert. It is very hard, very dense, and is one of a handful of woods that sinks in water. Ironwood also features some of the highest contrast and striking patterns of any wood in the world. Once used by the Seri Native Americans of Mexico for tool handles, we proudly offer premium grade ironwood on a variety of William Henry tools.
Iolite
Iolite is the gemstone variety of the mineral cordierite. Typically, iolite ranges in color from light to dark blue, and even violet. It has also been called "water-sapphire" and "Vikings' Compass" because it is said that ancient Viking navigators used thin slices of iolite as filters to help locate the sun on cloudy days. Whether or not the tales are true, iolite can be fashioned into beautiful gems.