Mulga
Mulga is a small tree that is found in the arid areas of Australia. The mulga I use in my jewellery comes from Kalgoorlie in Western Australia. It is an incredibly dense timber and is a member of the acacia family.
The timber can vary in colour from a rich tan to dark brown. The outer sapwood is very light and contrasts sharply with the darker heartwood. I like to use both parts of the timber in my work. While it is very dense, it is also a beautiful timber to work with. Mulga polishes very well and can be burnished on a lathe. I like to use this technique when making small beads and other turned pieces. It creates a very tactile smooth surface to touch.
To see work made from this timber click here.