Elegant & Unexpected

Whereas many of the traditions upheld by the wedding industry can be stilted and old-fashioned, a young Rhode Islander is working to change the definition of what wedding jewelry can be. Lincoln Pollock, founder of Arcwood Jewelry is producing minimalist, elegant jewelry which bring together traditional precious metals with an unlikely aesthetic companion: wood.

“I just love the understated,” Pollock said. “I love minimalism, and I like fashion that is not in your face. But if you look at it, you could still tell all that quality. It can be just subtle differences, subtle things that could tell you its quality.”

Pollock’s jewelry is simple in appearance, two materials running parallel alongside each other, often with a third material of diverse substances such as gemstones, glass, or even preserved flower petals. Pollock constructs each ring by hand, shaping the metal and the wood in his home studio. He prioritizes sustainability in his practice, sourcing his materials domestically, and using recycled silver and gold whenever possible.

The 23-year-old Pollock started and continues to run his business from his family’s home in Cranston, where the tools of the trade are split between the garage and basement. Lathes, saws, workbenches, sanders, and even a small “vacuum chamber” for sealing the veneer which goes into his process. Every aspect of his business is run by Pollock himself.

“I do all my own photography and videography. It’s really a one-man-show as of right now.”

Inspiration to start Arcwood struck Pollock around the same time he was making the decision to leave college. He was studying marine biology, with a minor in music, at Nova Southeastern University in Florida. 

“I loved studying it, but I just didn’t feel like it fit with what I wanted to do, you know?”

He had moved home to Rhode Island, working to finish his music minor at CCRI, when kismet came in the form of a YouTube video demonstrating the jewelry making method he now uses today.

“I saw that and just fell in love with it,” Pollock said. “I spontaneously bought all the stuff to do it and then just started doing it, for a year just practicing every day.”

Pollock worked for a year honing his craft, taking part in the online community of jewelry makers he found, and asking every jeweler, metal worker, and woodworker he could find to ask them questions. In March of 2023, he was ready to begin.

“Not having a background in jewelry or business and then starting something in jewelry-business,” Pollock said, recalling those early days. “You know, I knew it was gonna be difficult. But reality kind of hit after the first few months. Like okay, I really gotta go to if I want this, I gotta take it while I can. I gotta do everything in my power.”

Before he even officially opened for business, his first customer was calling. Recommended by a friend, a local firefighter was intrigued at the thought of a wooden wedding ring. Aside from the beauty of the material, the man had a more unique consideration: safety.

Pollock explained “If you have a pure metal ring, let’s say the ring gets stuck on something you’re doing something. It could be any number of things. It could get caught and you could really hurt your finger.”

“He liked the wood rings because…It’s not as much trouble,” Pollock continued. “It wouldn’t really hurt you as much if you got caught somewhere because chances are it would probably break before it would do much damage to your finger.”

Pollock recalls this as still one of his favorite custom orders. He said that the firefighter loved the ring, and was so grateful he even gave Pollock a gift afterwards. Pollock has come to love the process of working with a customer to make a custom product. He’s even begun integrating materials provided by the customers themselves into his custom rings. He talked about a recent order from which he was afforded the opportunity to work with a rather uncommon wood in this part of the world: Mango.

A couple with roots in Florida wanted an engagement ring constructed from their family’s mango tree. Pollock instructed them on how to take a proper cutting (via video-chat) to send to him. Upon its arrival, he paired the wood with 18 karat yellow-gold. Additionally, flakes from family heirloom wedding bangles were inlaid into the wood for a doubly personal end product.

This practice of integrating materials significant to the client has become a staple of Pollock’s process. In addition to the woods and metals, he has also integrated the petals from wedding flowers, or stained glass, or gemstones into his jewelry.

However, not all of Pollock’s work is custom. He brings a growing stock of rings, pendants, and earrings regularly to markets around Rhode Island. He listed the Pawtucket Farmers’ Markets, the Fine Furnishing Show, and the Holiday Market at Waterfire Arts Center as particularly favorites. He likes the artsy crowds he can find there.

As of now, Pollock works another job in addition to running Arcwood Jewelry, but hopes that will soon change. He hopes within five years to have a workshop here in Rhode Island, where he can work with clients and local artisans to make this product he’s so proud of. He never wants to mass produce his work.

Pollock hopes Arcwood will remain “an authentic, bespoke company.” He says “I definitely want to keep it local, and just keep everything handmade.”

On March 5, Arcwood Jewelry will be holding a from 5-7 p.m. at the Brenton Hotel in Newport as part of the Newport Artists’ Collective’s salon series.  To see more of Pollock’s work, visit: arcwoodjewelry.com.