Normally orders are dispatched according to the colouring shown in the website photograph. However, in almost every case it is possible to specify the type of wood your item is made from. However, it is impractical to offer this choice as part of the usual ordering procedure. If you wish to specify which type of wood your product is made from, please contact us at the special orders address below.
When placing a special order, please follow the normal ordering procedure and then send us an e-mail including the order number, your name and address and the number of the wood(s) from the list below. If you want a mixture of woods, please specify option 4.
Special orders cannot, by definition, be included in our general stock. As a result there will be a delay of up to 15 weeks before delivery, which allows adequate time for special assembly and shipping from Costa Rica.
Email:
enquiries@ecoaccessories.co.uk
Keyrings
We have the ability to offer a choice of 25 different laser-engraved designs for keyring code 3123. If you wish to order a specific design, please choose from the designs pictured below.
Then send an e-mail to
enquiries@ecoaccessories.co.uk, quoting code 3123 and the number of the design you have chosen (e.g. to order the snail design, state: code 3123, design number 8). You may also choose the type of wood your keyring fob is made from. If you want the fob made from Tempisque, for example, add wood type 6 to your order.
To recap; to order one keyring with a snail design on a Tempisque fob, send an e-mail to
enquiries@ecoaccessories.co.uk, stating: one keyring code 3123, design number 8, wood type 6. If you need any further help with special orders, please do not hesitate to get in
touch.
Wood Selection
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1)
COCOBOLA
[ROSEWOOD]
(Dalbergia retusa)
A valuable wood used for cabinet and tool making. It prefers dry upland slopes. The wood is dark red but streaked and variegated with black. It is durable, with high natural oil content. WARNING: The fine sawdust may produce a rash resembling ivy poisoning. |
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2)
GUAYACAN REAL
[LIGNUMVITÆ] (Guaiacum sanctum)
This is an extremely slow-growing broadleaf evergreen. Adult specimens can reach up to 12 metres in height. Also known as “iron wood” because of its unique characteristic of sinking in water. This quality of density makes it ideal for the manufacture of bowling balls, mallets, marine propeller shafts and gears.
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3)
NAZARENO
[PURPLE HEART] (Amaranth Peltogyne
spp.)
Disappearing fast from Costa Rica. Slow-growing (up to 40 metres in height) and deciduous, it requires well-drained soil. The wood changes colour from light brown to purple upon exposure to the air. Not listed by CITES as globally threatened.
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5)
MORA
[FUSTIC]
(Clorophora tinctoria)
This tree produces white sap and has sporadic spines on the trunk and branches. It predominates in dry forests. The wood is used to make products where flexibility and durability is required (e.g. cart wheels). |
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6)
TEMPISQUE
[TEMPISQUE]
(Mastichodendron
capiri)
This is a large, emergent evergreen tree. It is more common along moist hill bases and in older secondary forest where it is a canopy tree. Its simple, dark green leaves tend to be whorled around the younger branches. The fruit is green and grape-like.
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7)
CRISTOBAL
[CRISTOBAL] (Platymiscium
pleiostachyum)
The wood displays iridescent veining and is used mainly for furniture making. This tree grows only in Costa Rica and is threatened by unsustainable exploitation (CITES Appendix 2 listing). ECOAccessories imports only legally sourced
Cristobal. |
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8)
CORTEZA
[CORTEX] (Tabebuia
chrysantha)
With its stunning yellow flowers, this species coexists with 5 similar species in drier parts of Costa Rica. WARNING: the heartwood contains lapachenole – a potent contact allergen – which may cause skin rashes.
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9)
RON RON
[RUM RUM]
(Astronium graveolens)
A medium sized tree of the cashew family. It grows in lowland and mid-slope rainforest, most prolifically along the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. One of the ‘precious’ woods, it is used for making floorboards because of its high density and durability. The grain stands out noticeably when polished.
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10)
GUAPINOL
[GUAPINOL] (Hymenæa
courabil)
A common emergent evergreen, growing up to 40 metres in height, it prefers the well drained soils of Costa Rica’s humid Pacific lowland forest. Used for making furniture and tool handles, the heartwoods are reddish.
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11)
BALSAMO
[MONKEY WOOD]
(Myroxylon balsamun)
This generous tree reaches up to 34 metres in height and 1 metre in diameter. The bark is generally
grey, spotted with rough yellow areas. Balm is harvested from the trees in a similar way to the collection of rubber latex. The crop of balm begins in trees that are at least 20-30 years old. The balm (or, Essential Oil) has a rich, sweet vanilla-like aroma. Traditionally, it is used to treat dry and chapped skin, respiratory complaints and stress. It is also used to flavour baked products, sweets, chewing-gum, jellies, ice cream, carbonated drinks and syrups. Additionally, it is used as incense in churches; in perfumes, cosmetics and the soap industry. The seeds are used to flavour a popular Latin American alcoholic drink.
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12)
CENIZARO
[CENIZARO] (Pithecolobium
saman)
Rare at the fringes of its range (but not globally threatened), examples grow up to 38 metres tall at the forest edge and along roadsides. A golden brown or darker heartwood. |
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13)
NISPERO
[MEDLAR] (Humiriastrum
diguense)
Found from sea level up to 700
metres, this tree prefers humid to very wet conditions (annual precipitation of over 3000 mm). This is a typical tree of the primary forest canopy. In spite of being a prolific seed producer, larger examples are now scarce. The wood is a reddish-brown, hard, and easy to work. It is used for heavy construction, carriage chassis, flooring, and furniture. |
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