Esoteric Body

Purpose

We specialize in hardwood, custom-made body jewelry that will make your friends green with envy. Our products are not for the meek. They embody the bold aesthetics of an ancient stretching tradition with the refined personality of contemporary design.

Our philosophy is as meticulous as our product. Esoteric Body has collaborated with Organic LLC to provide the piercing community with research determining which woods can be worn safely and proudly. Esoteric Body only works with woods that are procured in an ethical manner. Our clients value the rigor of our environmental ethics that matches our attention to product quality.

Esoteric Body jewelry is coveted for the premium quality of our wood and the superiority of our finish. Our aesthetics are as bold as they are understated. We handcraft jewelry that emphasizes the color, pattern, and distinctive beauty of hardwoods. Each piece tells its own story. It is as unique as its wearer.

So What Sets Us Apart?

Esoteric Body is at the forefront of research on wearable hardwoods and suitable finishes. I began a research partnership with Organic LLC on various chemical compositions of individual hardwoods and their effects on the human body and we are committed to continuing this research into the future. Please check out our Wisdom page for more information.

Esoteric Body was founded in 1998 by Michael Sims in upstate New York while he was earning his masters degree in fine art photography. What began as a part-time pursuit soon expanded into a full line of custom body jewelry. With that expansion came a westward move to California. Since 2000 Esoteric Body has been located in San Francisco’s Potrero Hill district.

Many things set Esoteric Body jewelry apart from other, mass-produced hardwood jewelry commonly found in the industry. Firstly, we only purchase wood from well-respected, responsible vendors. Since we only deal with the top vendors in the business, we pay premium prices for their premium selection of unique and exceptional species. Unlike many other manufacturers, we never compromise the quality of our materials in order to increase our profit margins. We hand select all of our wood for exceptional color, pattern and grain. This high standard ensures our ability to offer our clients the most superior collection of woods and the highest quality product on the market. Further, we thoroughly research and test each species of wood before we offer them to you. We have done extensive research in botanical dermatology to minimize adverse reactions to our products (see Wisdom section).

Secondly, our finishing techniques are the finest in the industry. We go to great lengths to ensure that each piece has the most superior finish available—both in terms of its compatibility with the body and in terms of its high-luster appearance. Esoteric Body developed a unique and exclusive finishing process that utilizes only Certified Organic Jojoba and Carnauba Wax. Jojoba is a natural emollient that provides non-occlusive moisture control and is very similar to the body’s natural sebum which provides a multitude of health benefits. Jojoba has a very high oxidative stability rating providing a lost lasting effect. Esoteric Body is the first manufacturer to provide this exceptional finish to help ensure a long-lasting, hypoallergenic, and non-comedogenic product that benefits both you and your jewelry.

Having been a professional piercer since 1992, Michael Sims has been able to utilize all of his knowledge as a piercer toward manufacturing the high-quality jewelry coveted by piercing connoisseurs.

So to put it simply, Esoteric Body is most notably distinguished by its supreme raw material, exquisite craftsmanship, and incomparable finish.