Bloodwood : African

This is a beautiful wood from South America and is also known as Cardinalwood or Satine. It is one of the woods that seems to have an inner glow to it in direct sunlight. It is a very hard and color-stable wood. The color will remain rich and vibrant for many years.

It grows primarily in French Guiana, Brazil, Peru, Panama and Venezuela to a height of over 100 feet and a diameter of 30 to 40 feet.   

The sapwood is generally yellowish-white and has a sharp demarcation with the heartwood which is predominately rich red hues from orange/red to crimson with occasional faint strands of yellows. Most of our bloodwood is a crimson red.

Although the tree diameter is large, it is unusual to see heartwood lumber wider than 12 inches.  The classic hymn , "Take My Life and Let it Be" written the the mid-1800's  by Frances Havergal states so clearly:

   "Precious, precious blood of Jesus, Shed on Calvary" ...
   "though thy sins are like crimson, Deep in scarlet glow,
    Jesus' precious blood can make them white as snow. "

As with all of our crosses, there were no stains, lacquers or preservatives used to finish your cross; only a natural oil which is hand-rubbed and polished to enhance the woods natural beauty.  When you hold our crosses, you are “feeling” the wood and “seeing” the wood as God created it.  No two are alike as boards will vary in color and graining due the environmental conditions it was produced.  The shine on the cross is related to the amount of “resin” in the make-up of the wood itself.  The more resin the higher the shine.

Crosses are handcrafted in our Palestine, Texas (USA) facility offering the highest quality.Crosses do not require polishing.  Holding your cross will allow the oils from your hands to go into the wood and create a soft, patina glow.  Never use oil or olive oil on our crosses.

Price noted is for 1 HoldingCross.  The picture of multiple crosses is to share with you the diversity of the wood.

Thoughts on Engraving : This wood works well with engraving.  Due to its tight grain, engraving comes out clear and precise.

Each cross comes in an organza bag with a StoryTag telling the name of the wood and a StoryScroll which contains suggested prayers, CareGiving stories and other information.  We do not offer seconds or damaged crosses.Our crosses are all first quality and handcrafted in our shop by our family.

NOTE : The HoldingCross watermark in the picture does not appear on the crosses.  The picture is marked for proprietary reasons.