Spalted Oak is difficult to find and we were able to obtain quite a few stunning pieces from a local supplier in Vancouver WA. This piece is even more unique with the added artistic elements, making the wood hook appear to be filled with sparkling clouds. Oak is a hard wood, with a light to medium brown color heartwood. The sapwood is a slightly lighter color, and is sometimes difficult to distinguish. Spalting is coloration added to the wood due to fungi that can grow when the tree is on the ground for sometime. The fungi is not harmful to humans and each hardwood crochet hook is sealed with a finishing product made of wax and walnut oil. *See Materials Used for more details on the wood and how we acquire them. Each piece is carefully measured and tested for quality and durability, but there may be minor imperfections. We hope you enjoy working with this hook as much as we enjoyed creating it. Shipping Policies: Once payment is processed, your purchase will be shipped within 3-7 business days. You will receive a shipping confirmation email to track your purchase.