Birdseye maple gets its name from the tiny circular swirls that dot the grain. Those markings are already distinctive. But when we dye the same wood grey, something shifts -- the grain takes on a shadowy depth that makes the ring look like it was pulled from deep water rather than cut from a tree.
The dyeing process starts with select birdseye maple veneers. We choose the pieces with the most pronounced patterns, because the dye interacts differently with the denser and less dense areas, creating subtle tonal variation that adds to the ring's character. The dye is water-based and penetrates the full depth of the veneer, so it does not chip or peel like a surface stain.
Men gravitate toward grey-dyed birdseye maple because it reads as understated. It is not loud the way Santos Rosewood is. It does not announce itself. But catch it in natural sunlight and the grey gives way to hints of brown and gold that you only notice after you have been wearing it for a while.
The most popular grey-dyed birdseye maple ring at our workshop pairs it with a sterling silver inlay. The silver offsets the dark grain perfectly, creating a modern asymmetrical look that works as well with a t-shirt and jeans as it does with a suit.
Because the dye goes all the way through the veneer, the grey holds up to years of daily wear without fading. Our marine-grade waterproof coating seals the colour beneath a clear, scratch-resistant layer. You will never need to re-dye your ring.