Detail of a round cork box with natural variations in colour and porosity.

Choosing cork: thickness, colour, density and texture

I carefully select the cork, looking for the best qualities and the characteristics most suited to each product. Thickness, colour, density and texture are part of that choice, together with the shape and intended use of the piece.

A box, a soap dish and a one-of-a-kind piece do not necessarily call for the same cork. The quality I look for is linked to function, dimensions and how I will work each product.

A curved piece of natural cork showing rough outer bark and the thickness of the material.
The outer surface and thickness are part of observing each fragment.

Thickness and possible shapes

The available thickness helps me define a cavity's depth, the contours and the dimensions I can work with. The fragment's original shape also plays a part in this decision.

Colour, density and texture

Tones, pores and texture vary from one piece to another. Density is another aspect I consider when selecting cork. I look for a combination of features suited to the piece's intended use and expression.

Cork of different ages

I work with cork ranging in age from a minimum of 9 years to more than 20 years. Cork over 20 years old is rarer and is distinguished by its thickness, colour, density and texture.

This variety allows me to explore different forms and results. In each piece, I aim to make the selected material's individual features visible.

The marks that remain in a piece

Once worked, cork continues to reveal its pores, grain and contrasts in tone. These details show how different fragments lead to different results.

Discover how cork guides the One-of-a-kind pieces.

Text revised on 31 October 2026. Photographs from different moments of working with cork.

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