Christian jewelry Olive wood Cross Necklace Made in Jerusalem . Gold tone Chain 18 inches Condition is New Free Shipping Within the USA Free Prayer Card Certificate of Authinticity included Shipped with USPS First Class Package. Handmade by Members of our family in the town of Bethlehem were Jesus was Born. The Story of Olive Wood The luxuriant olive groves capping the surrounding hills of Jerusalem are among the Holy Tand's symbols of eternity, a poetic presence in biblical lore. Since their planting 2,000 years ago during Roman rule, the trees were farmed and harvested for food, oil and materials for construction and the crafts. Millenia later, olive trees grown in the Holy Land remain as they were: ancestral gifts to residents who employ them for the same ancient purposes. Regarded as a precious and irreplaceable legacy, the slow-growth trees are preserved in perpetuity. Without threat to the trees' natural lifetimes, only dispensable limbs are removed for craftwork. For that reason, olive wood from Jerusalem is a rarity in popular demand. Prime wood is air dried for a minimum of three months before being precision cut into smaller sections. These are exposed to air for three additional weeks, oven-cured for six days, then allowed to mature six months longer in open air. The lengthy process enhances the wood's color and grain... the flowing strands of light and dark that make each olive wood carving an absolutely unique collectible. In the hands of the master craftsmen of Jerusalem, the durable but responsive wood from which ornaments are shaped becomes a visible piece of history. A history connecting our times to the Holy And sacred days of faith and awe. Thank you for your support of our small family Business Positive feedback is greatly appreciated