diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 6bd19790..f20db635 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 **Features:**
 
 - Support custom algorithms by passing algorithm objects[#512](https://github.com/jwt/ruby-jwt/pull/512) ([@anakinj](https://github.com/anakinj)).
+- Support descriptive (not key related) JWK parameters[#520](https://github.com/jwt/ruby-jwt/pull/520) ([@bellebaum](https://github.com/bellebaum)).
 - Your contribution here
 
 **Fixes and enhancements:**
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index e66eeca9..10b8b0f7 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -574,7 +574,7 @@ JWK is a JSON structure representing a cryptographic key. Currently only support
 If the kid is not found from the given set the loader will be called a second time with the `kid_not_found` option set to `true`. The application can choose to implement some kind of JWK cache invalidation or other mechanism to handle such cases.
 
 ```ruby
-  jwk = JWT::JWK.new(OpenSSL::PKey::RSA.new(2048), 'optional-kid')
+  jwk = JWT::JWK.new(OpenSSL::PKey::RSA.new(2048), kid: 'optional-kid')
   payload = { data: 'data' }
   headers = { kid: jwk.kid }
 
@@ -612,13 +612,27 @@ JWT.decode(token, nil, true, { algorithms: ['RS512'], jwks: jwks})
 
 ### Importing and exporting JSON Web Keys
 
-The ::JWT::JWK class can be used to import and export both the public key (default behaviour) and the private key. To include the private key in the export pass the `include_private` parameter to the export method.
+The ::JWT::JWK class can be used to import both JSON Web Keys and OpenSSL keys
+and export to either format with and without the private key included.
+
+To include the private key in the export pass the `include_private` parameter to the export method.
 
 ```ruby
-jwk = JWT::JWK.new(OpenSSL::PKey::RSA.new(2048))
+# Import a JWK Hash (showing an HMAC example)
+jwk = JWT::JWK.new({ kty: 'oct', k: 'my-secret', kid: 'my-kid' })
+
+# Import an OpenSSL key
+# You can optionally add descriptive parameters to the JWK
+desc_params = { kid: 'my-kid', use: 'sig' }
+jwk = JWT::JWK.new(OpenSSL::PKey::RSA.new(2048), desc_params)
 
+# Export as JWK Hash (public key only by default)
 jwk_hash = jwk.export
 jwk_hash_with_private_key = jwk.export(include_private: true)
+
+# Export as OpenSSL key
+public_key = jwk.public_key
+private_key = jwk.keypair if jwk.private?
 ```
 
 ### Key ID (kid) and JWKs
@@ -630,7 +644,7 @@ JWT.configuration.jwk.kid_generator_type = :rfc7638_thumbprint
 # OR
 JWT.configuration.jwk.kid_generator = ::JWT::JWK::Thumbprint
 # OR
-jwk = JWT::JWK.new(OpenSSL::PKey::RSA.new(2048), kid_generator: ::JWT::JWK::Thumbprint)
+jwk = JWT::JWK.new(OpenSSL::PKey::RSA.new(2048), nil, kid_generator: ::JWT::JWK::Thumbprint)
 
 jwk_hash = jwk.export
 
diff --git a/lib/jwt/jwk.rb b/lib/jwt/jwk.rb
index 1db2060e..578a59b3 100644
--- a/lib/jwt/jwk.rb
+++ b/lib/jwt/jwk.rb
@@ -5,19 +5,19 @@
 module JWT
   module JWK
     class << self
-      def import(jwk_data)
-        jwk_kty = jwk_data[:kty] || jwk_data['kty']
-        raise JWT::JWKError, 'Key type (kty) not provided' unless jwk_kty
-
-        mappings.fetch(jwk_kty.to_s) do |kty|
-          raise JWT::JWKError, "Key type #{kty} not supported"
-        end.import(jwk_data)
-      end
+      def create_from(key, params = nil, options = {})
+        if key.is_a?(Hash)
+          jwk_kty = key[:kty] || key['kty']
+          raise JWT::JWKError, 'Key type (kty) not provided' unless jwk_kty
+
+          return mappings.fetch(jwk_kty.to_s) do |kty|
+            raise JWT::JWKError, "Key type #{kty} not supported"
+          end.new(key, params, options)
+        end
 
-      def create_from(keypair, kid = nil)
-        mappings.fetch(keypair.class) do |klass|
+        mappings.fetch(key.class) do |klass|
           raise JWT::JWKError, "Cannot create JWK from a #{klass.name}"
-        end.new(keypair, kid)
+        end.new(key, params, options)
       end
 
       def classes
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ def classes
       end
 
       alias new create_from
+      alias import create_from
 
       private
 
diff --git a/lib/jwt/jwk/ec.rb b/lib/jwt/jwk/ec.rb
index 77cf7c44..c194d991 100644
--- a/lib/jwt/jwk/ec.rb
+++ b/lib/jwt/jwk/ec.rb
@@ -11,37 +11,48 @@ class EC < KeyBase # rubocop:disable Metrics/ClassLength
       KTY    = 'EC'
       KTYS   = [KTY, OpenSSL::PKey::EC].freeze
       BINARY = 2
+      EC_PUBLIC_KEY_ELEMENTS = %i[kty crv x y].freeze
+      EC_PRIVATE_KEY_ELEMENTS = %i[d].freeze
+      EC_KEY_ELEMENTS = (EC_PRIVATE_KEY_ELEMENTS + EC_PUBLIC_KEY_ELEMENTS).freeze
+
+      def initialize(key, params = nil, options = {})
+        params ||= {}
+
+        # For backwards compatibility when kid was a String
+        params = { kid: params } if params.is_a?(String)
+
+        key_params = case key
+                     when OpenSSL::PKey::EC # Accept OpenSSL key as input
+                       @keypair = key # Preserve the object to avoid recreation
+                       parse_ec_key(key)
+                     when Hash
+                       key.transform_keys(&:to_sym)
+                     else
+                       raise ArgumentError, 'key must be of type OpenSSL::PKey::EC or Hash with key parameters'
+        end
 
-      attr_reader :keypair
-
-      def initialize(keypair, options = {})
-        raise ArgumentError, 'keypair must be of type OpenSSL::PKey::EC' unless keypair.is_a?(OpenSSL::PKey::EC)
+        params = params.transform_keys(&:to_sym)
+        check_jwk(key_params, params)
 
-        @keypair = keypair
+        super(options, key_params.merge(params))
+      end
 
-        super(options)
+      def keypair
+        @keypair ||= create_ec_key(self[:crv], self[:x], self[:y], self[:d])
       end
 
       def private?
-        @keypair.private_key?
+        keypair.private_key?
       end
 
       def members
-        crv, x_octets, y_octets = keypair_components(keypair)
-        {
-          kty: KTY,
-          crv: crv,
-          x: encode_octets(x_octets),
-          y: encode_octets(y_octets)
-        }
+        EC_PUBLIC_KEY_ELEMENTS.each_with_object({}) { |i, h| h[i] = self[i] }
       end
 
       def export(options = {})
-        exported_hash = members.merge(kid: kid)
-
-        return exported_hash unless private? && options[:include_private] == true
-
-        append_private_parts(exported_hash)
+        exported = parameters.clone
+        exported.reject! { |k, _| EC_PRIVATE_KEY_ELEMENTS.include? k } unless private? && options[:include_private] == true
+        exported
       end
 
       def key_digest
@@ -51,13 +62,20 @@ def key_digest
         OpenSSL::Digest::SHA256.hexdigest(sequence.to_der)
       end
 
+      def []=(key, value)
+        if EC_KEY_ELEMENTS.include?(key.to_sym)
+          raise ArgumentError, 'cannot overwrite cryptographic key attributes'
+        end
+
+        super(key, value)
+      end
+
       private
 
-      def append_private_parts(the_hash)
-        octets = keypair.private_key.to_bn.to_s(BINARY)
-        the_hash.merge(
-          d: encode_octets(octets)
-        )
+      def check_jwk(keypair, params)
+        raise ArgumentError, 'cannot overwrite cryptographic key attributes' unless (EC_KEY_ELEMENTS & params.keys).empty?
+        raise JWT::JWKError, "Incorrect 'kty' value: #{keypair[:kty]}, expected #{KTY}" unless keypair[:kty] == KTY
+        raise JWT::JWKError, 'Key format is invalid for EC' unless keypair[:crv] && keypair[:x] && keypair[:y]
       end
 
       def keypair_components(ec_keypair)
@@ -82,6 +100,8 @@ def keypair_components(ec_keypair)
       end
 
       def encode_octets(octets)
+        return unless octets
+
         ::JWT::Base64.url_encode(octets)
       end
 
@@ -89,15 +109,94 @@ def encode_open_ssl_bn(key_part)
         ::JWT::Base64.url_encode(key_part.to_s(BINARY))
       end
 
-      class << self
-        def import(jwk_data)
-          # See https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc7518#section-6.2.1 for an
-          # explanation of the relevant parameters.
+      def parse_ec_key(key)
+        crv, x_octets, y_octets = keypair_components(key)
+        octets = key.private_key&.to_bn&.to_s(BINARY)
+        {
+          kty: KTY,
+          crv: crv,
+          x: encode_octets(x_octets),
+          y: encode_octets(y_octets),
+          d: encode_octets(octets)
+        }.compact
+      end
 
-          jwk_crv, jwk_x, jwk_y, jwk_d, jwk_kid = jwk_attrs(jwk_data, %i[crv x y d kid])
-          raise JWT::JWKError, 'Key format is invalid for EC' unless jwk_crv && jwk_x && jwk_y
+      if ::JWT.openssl_3?
+        def create_ec_key(jwk_crv, jwk_x, jwk_y, jwk_d) # rubocop:disable Metrics/MethodLength
+          curve = EC.to_openssl_curve(jwk_crv)
+
+          x_octets = decode_octets(jwk_x)
+          y_octets = decode_octets(jwk_y)
+
+          point = OpenSSL::PKey::EC::Point.new(
+            OpenSSL::PKey::EC::Group.new(curve),
+            OpenSSL::BN.new([0x04, x_octets, y_octets].pack('Ca*a*'), 2)
+          )
+
+          sequence = if jwk_d
+            # https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc5915.html
+            # ECPrivateKey ::= SEQUENCE {
+            #   version        INTEGER { ecPrivkeyVer1(1) } (ecPrivkeyVer1),
+            #   privateKey     OCTET STRING,
+            #   parameters [0] ECParameters {{ NamedCurve }} OPTIONAL,
+            #   publicKey  [1] BIT STRING OPTIONAL
+            # }
+
+            OpenSSL::ASN1::Sequence([
+                                      OpenSSL::ASN1::Integer(1),
+                                      OpenSSL::ASN1::OctetString(OpenSSL::BN.new(decode_octets(jwk_d), 2).to_s(2)),
+                                      OpenSSL::ASN1::ObjectId(curve, 0, :EXPLICIT),
+                                      OpenSSL::ASN1::BitString(point.to_octet_string(:uncompressed), 1, :EXPLICIT)
+                                    ])
+          else
+            OpenSSL::ASN1::Sequence([
+                                      OpenSSL::ASN1::Sequence([OpenSSL::ASN1::ObjectId('id-ecPublicKey'), OpenSSL::ASN1::ObjectId(curve)]),
+                                      OpenSSL::ASN1::BitString(point.to_octet_string(:uncompressed))
+                                    ])
+          end
 
-          new(ec_pkey(jwk_crv, jwk_x, jwk_y, jwk_d), kid: jwk_kid)
+          OpenSSL::PKey::EC.new(sequence.to_der)
+        end
+      else
+        def create_ec_key(jwk_crv, jwk_x, jwk_y, jwk_d)
+          curve = EC.to_openssl_curve(jwk_crv)
+
+          x_octets = decode_octets(jwk_x)
+          y_octets = decode_octets(jwk_y)
+
+          key = OpenSSL::PKey::EC.new(curve)
+
+          # The details of the `Point` instantiation are covered in:
+          # - https://docs.ruby-lang.org/en/2.4.0/OpenSSL/PKey/EC.html
+          # - https://www.openssl.org/docs/manmaster/man3/EC_POINT_new.html
+          # - https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc5480#section-2.2
+          # - https://www.secg.org/SEC1-Ver-1.0.pdf
+          # Section 2.3.3 of the last of these references specifies that the
+          # encoding of an uncompressed point consists of the byte `0x04` followed
+          # by the x value then the y value.
+          point = OpenSSL::PKey::EC::Point.new(
+            OpenSSL::PKey::EC::Group.new(curve),
+            OpenSSL::BN.new([0x04, x_octets, y_octets].pack('Ca*a*'), 2)
+          )
+
+          key.public_key = point
+          key.private_key = OpenSSL::BN.new(decode_octets(jwk_d), 2) if jwk_d
+
+          key
+        end
+      end
+
+      def decode_octets(jwk_data)
+        ::JWT::Base64.url_decode(jwk_data)
+      end
+
+      def decode_open_ssl_bn(jwk_data)
+        OpenSSL::BN.new(::JWT::Base64.url_decode(jwk_data), BINARY)
+      end
+
+      class << self
+        def import(jwk_data)
+          new(jwk_data)
         end
 
         def to_openssl_curve(crv)
@@ -112,87 +211,6 @@ def to_openssl_curve(crv)
           else raise JWT::JWKError, 'Invalid curve provided'
           end
         end
-
-        private
-
-        def jwk_attrs(jwk_data, attrs)
-          attrs.map do |attr|
-            jwk_data[attr] || jwk_data[attr.to_s]
-          end
-        end
-
-        if ::JWT.openssl_3?
-          def ec_pkey(jwk_crv, jwk_x, jwk_y, jwk_d) # rubocop:disable Metrics/MethodLength
-            curve = to_openssl_curve(jwk_crv)
-
-            x_octets = decode_octets(jwk_x)
-            y_octets = decode_octets(jwk_y)
-
-            point = OpenSSL::PKey::EC::Point.new(
-              OpenSSL::PKey::EC::Group.new(curve),
-              OpenSSL::BN.new([0x04, x_octets, y_octets].pack('Ca*a*'), 2)
-            )
-
-            sequence = if jwk_d
-              # https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc5915.html
-              # ECPrivateKey ::= SEQUENCE {
-              #   version        INTEGER { ecPrivkeyVer1(1) } (ecPrivkeyVer1),
-              #   privateKey     OCTET STRING,
-              #   parameters [0] ECParameters {{ NamedCurve }} OPTIONAL,
-              #   publicKey  [1] BIT STRING OPTIONAL
-              # }
-
-              OpenSSL::ASN1::Sequence([
-                                        OpenSSL::ASN1::Integer(1),
-                                        OpenSSL::ASN1::OctetString(OpenSSL::BN.new(decode_octets(jwk_d), 2).to_s(2)),
-                                        OpenSSL::ASN1::ObjectId(curve, 0, :EXPLICIT),
-                                        OpenSSL::ASN1::BitString(point.to_octet_string(:uncompressed), 1, :EXPLICIT)
-                                      ])
-            else
-              OpenSSL::ASN1::Sequence([
-                                        OpenSSL::ASN1::Sequence([OpenSSL::ASN1::ObjectId('id-ecPublicKey'), OpenSSL::ASN1::ObjectId(curve)]),
-                                        OpenSSL::ASN1::BitString(point.to_octet_string(:uncompressed))
-                                      ])
-            end
-
-            OpenSSL::PKey::EC.new(sequence.to_der)
-          end
-        else
-          def ec_pkey(jwk_crv, jwk_x, jwk_y, jwk_d)
-            curve = to_openssl_curve(jwk_crv)
-
-            x_octets = decode_octets(jwk_x)
-            y_octets = decode_octets(jwk_y)
-
-            key = OpenSSL::PKey::EC.new(curve)
-
-            # The details of the `Point` instantiation are covered in:
-            # - https://docs.ruby-lang.org/en/2.4.0/OpenSSL/PKey/EC.html
-            # - https://www.openssl.org/docs/manmaster/man3/EC_POINT_new.html
-            # - https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc5480#section-2.2
-            # - https://www.secg.org/SEC1-Ver-1.0.pdf
-            # Section 2.3.3 of the last of these references specifies that the
-            # encoding of an uncompressed point consists of the byte `0x04` followed
-            # by the x value then the y value.
-            point = OpenSSL::PKey::EC::Point.new(
-              OpenSSL::PKey::EC::Group.new(curve),
-              OpenSSL::BN.new([0x04, x_octets, y_octets].pack('Ca*a*'), 2)
-            )
-
-            key.public_key = point
-            key.private_key = OpenSSL::BN.new(decode_octets(jwk_d), 2) if jwk_d
-
-            key
-          end
-        end
-
-        def decode_octets(jwk_data)
-          ::JWT::Base64.url_decode(jwk_data)
-        end
-
-        def decode_open_ssl_bn(jwk_data)
-          OpenSSL::BN.new(::JWT::Base64.url_decode(jwk_data), BINARY)
-        end
       end
     end
   end
diff --git a/lib/jwt/jwk/hmac.rb b/lib/jwt/jwk/hmac.rb
index 98573a90..1200bbef 100644
--- a/lib/jwt/jwk/hmac.rb
+++ b/lib/jwt/jwk/hmac.rb
@@ -5,14 +5,33 @@ module JWK
     class HMAC < KeyBase
       KTY  = 'oct'
       KTYS = [KTY, String].freeze
+      HMAC_PUBLIC_KEY_ELEMENTS = %i[kty].freeze
+      HMAC_PRIVATE_KEY_ELEMENTS = %i[k].freeze
+      HMAC_KEY_ELEMENTS = (HMAC_PRIVATE_KEY_ELEMENTS + HMAC_PUBLIC_KEY_ELEMENTS).freeze
 
-      attr_reader :signing_key
+      def initialize(key, params = nil, options = {})
+        params ||= {}
 
-      def initialize(signing_key, options = {})
-        raise ArgumentError, 'signing_key must be of type String' unless signing_key.is_a?(String)
+        # For backwards compatibility when kid was a String
+        params = { kid: params } if params.is_a?(String)
 
-        @signing_key = signing_key
-        super(options)
+        key_params = case key
+                     when String # Accept String key as input
+                       { kty: KTY, k: key }
+                     when Hash
+                       key.transform_keys(&:to_sym)
+                     else
+                       raise ArgumentError, 'key must be of type String or Hash with key parameters'
+        end
+
+        params = params.transform_keys(&:to_sym)
+        check_jwk(key_params, params)
+
+        super(options, key_params.merge(params))
+      end
+
+      def keypair
+        self[:k]
       end
 
       def private?
@@ -25,26 +44,16 @@ def public_key
 
       # See https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc7517#appendix-A.3
       def export(options = {})
-        exported_hash = {
-          kty: KTY,
-          kid: kid
-        }
-
-        return exported_hash unless private? && options[:include_private] == true
-
-        exported_hash.merge(
-          k: signing_key
-        )
+        exported = parameters.clone
+        exported.reject! { |k, _| HMAC_PRIVATE_KEY_ELEMENTS.include? k } unless private? && options[:include_private] == true
+        exported
       end
 
       def members
-        {
-          kty: KTY,
-          k: signing_key
-        }
+        HMAC_KEY_ELEMENTS.each_with_object({}) { |i, h| h[i] = self[i] }
       end
 
-      alias keypair signing_key # for backwards compatibility
+      alias signing_key keypair # for backwards compatibility
 
       def key_digest
         sequence = OpenSSL::ASN1::Sequence([OpenSSL::ASN1::UTF8String.new(signing_key),
@@ -52,14 +61,25 @@ def key_digest
         OpenSSL::Digest::SHA256.hexdigest(sequence.to_der)
       end
 
-      class << self
-        def import(jwk_data)
-          jwk_k = jwk_data[:k] || jwk_data['k']
-          jwk_kid = jwk_data[:kid] || jwk_data['kid']
+      def []=(key, value)
+        if HMAC_KEY_ELEMENTS.include?(key.to_sym)
+          raise ArgumentError, 'cannot overwrite cryptographic key attributes'
+        end
+
+        super(key, value)
+      end
 
-          raise JWT::JWKError, 'Key format is invalid for HMAC' unless jwk_k
+      private
 
-          new(jwk_k, kid: jwk_kid)
+      def check_jwk(keypair, params)
+        raise ArgumentError, 'cannot overwrite cryptographic key attributes' unless (HMAC_KEY_ELEMENTS & params.keys).empty?
+        raise JWT::JWKError, "Incorrect 'kty' value: #{keypair[:kty]}, expected #{KTY}" unless keypair[:kty] == KTY
+        raise JWT::JWKError, 'Key format is invalid for HMAC' unless keypair[:k]
+      end
+
+      class << self
+        def import(jwk_data)
+          new(jwk_data)
         end
       end
     end
diff --git a/lib/jwt/jwk/key_base.rb b/lib/jwt/jwk/key_base.rb
index 8c796990..7c301ca7 100644
--- a/lib/jwt/jwk/key_base.rb
+++ b/lib/jwt/jwk/key_base.rb
@@ -8,28 +8,34 @@ def self.inherited(klass)
         ::JWT::JWK.classes << klass
       end
 
-      def initialize(options)
+      def initialize(options, params = {})
         options ||= {}
 
-        if options.is_a?(String) # For backwards compatibility when kid was a String
-          options = { kid: options }
-        end
+        @parameters = params.transform_keys(&:to_sym) # Uniform interface
 
-        @kid           = options[:kid]
-        @kid_generator = options[:kid_generator] || ::JWT.configuration.jwk.kid_generator
+        # For backwards compatibility, kid_generator may be specified in the parameters
+        options[:kid_generator] ||= @parameters.delete(:kid_generator)
+
+        # Make sure the key has a kid
+        kid_generator = options[:kid_generator] || ::JWT.configuration.jwk.kid_generator
+        self[:kid] ||= kid_generator.new(self).generate
       end
 
       def kid
-        @kid ||= generate_kid
+        self[:kid]
       end
 
-      private
-
-      attr_reader :kid_generator
+      def [](key)
+        @parameters[key.to_sym]
+      end
 
-      def generate_kid
-        kid_generator.new(self).generate
+      def []=(key, value)
+        @parameters[key.to_sym] = value
       end
+
+      private
+
+      attr_reader :parameters
     end
   end
 end
diff --git a/lib/jwt/jwk/rsa.rb b/lib/jwt/jwk/rsa.rb
index 5f6d2288..d99b08f0 100644
--- a/lib/jwt/jwk/rsa.rb
+++ b/lib/jwt/jwk/rsa.rb
@@ -6,16 +6,34 @@ class RSA < KeyBase
       BINARY = 2
       KTY    = 'RSA'
       KTYS   = [KTY, OpenSSL::PKey::RSA].freeze
-      RSA_KEY_ELEMENTS = %i[n e d p q dp dq qi].freeze
-
-      attr_reader :keypair
+      RSA_PUBLIC_KEY_ELEMENTS  = %i[kty n e].freeze
+      RSA_PRIVATE_KEY_ELEMENTS = %i[d p q dp dq qi].freeze
+      RSA_KEY_ELEMENTS = (RSA_PRIVATE_KEY_ELEMENTS + RSA_PUBLIC_KEY_ELEMENTS).freeze
+
+      def initialize(key, params = nil, options = {})
+        params ||= {}
+
+        # For backwards compatibility when kid was a String
+        params = { kid: params } if params.is_a?(String)
+
+        key_params = case key
+                     when OpenSSL::PKey::RSA # Accept OpenSSL key as input
+                       @keypair = key # Preserve the object to avoid recreation
+                       parse_rsa_key(key)
+                     when Hash
+                       key.transform_keys(&:to_sym)
+                     else
+                       raise ArgumentError, 'key must be of type OpenSSL::PKey::RSA or Hash with key parameters'
+        end
 
-      def initialize(keypair, options = {})
-        raise ArgumentError, 'keypair must be of type OpenSSL::PKey::RSA' unless keypair.is_a?(OpenSSL::PKey::RSA)
+        params = params.transform_keys(&:to_sym)
+        check_jwk(key_params, params)
 
-        @keypair = keypair
+        super(options, key_params.merge(params))
+      end
 
-        super(options)
+      def keypair
+        @keypair ||= create_rsa_key(jwk_attributes(*(RSA_KEY_ELEMENTS - [:kty])))
       end
 
       def private?
@@ -27,19 +45,13 @@ def public_key
       end
 
       def export(options = {})
-        exported_hash = members.merge(kid: kid)
-
-        return exported_hash unless private? && options[:include_private] == true
-
-        append_private_parts(exported_hash)
+        exported = parameters.clone
+        exported.reject! { |k, _| RSA_PRIVATE_KEY_ELEMENTS.include? k } unless private? && options[:include_private] == true
+        exported
       end
 
       def members
-        {
-          kty: KTY,
-          n: encode_open_ssl_bn(public_key.n),
-          e: encode_open_ssl_bn(public_key.e)
-        }
+        RSA_PUBLIC_KEY_ELEMENTS.each_with_object({}) { |i, h| h[i] = self[i] }
       end
 
       def key_digest
@@ -48,89 +60,95 @@ def key_digest
         OpenSSL::Digest::SHA256.hexdigest(sequence.to_der)
       end
 
-      private
+      def []=(key, value)
+        if RSA_KEY_ELEMENTS.include?(key.to_sym)
+          raise ArgumentError, 'cannot overwrite cryptographic key attributes'
+        end
 
-      def append_private_parts(the_hash)
-        the_hash.merge(
-          d: encode_open_ssl_bn(keypair.d),
-          p: encode_open_ssl_bn(keypair.p),
-          q: encode_open_ssl_bn(keypair.q),
-          dp: encode_open_ssl_bn(keypair.dmp1),
-          dq: encode_open_ssl_bn(keypair.dmq1),
-          qi: encode_open_ssl_bn(keypair.iqmp)
-        )
+        super(key, value)
       end
 
-      def encode_open_ssl_bn(key_part)
-        ::JWT::Base64.url_encode(key_part.to_s(BINARY))
-      end
+      private
 
-      class << self
-        def import(jwk_data)
-          pkey_params = jwk_attributes(jwk_data, *RSA_KEY_ELEMENTS) do |value|
-            decode_open_ssl_bn(value)
-          end
-          new(rsa_pkey(pkey_params), kid: jwk_attributes(jwk_data, :kid)[:kid])
-        end
+      def check_jwk(keypair, params)
+        raise ArgumentError, 'cannot overwrite cryptographic key attributes' unless (RSA_KEY_ELEMENTS & params.keys).empty?
+        raise JWT::JWKError, "Incorrect 'kty' value: #{keypair[:kty]}, expected #{KTY}" unless keypair[:kty] == KTY
+        raise JWT::JWKError, 'Key format is invalid for RSA' unless keypair[:n] && keypair[:e]
+      end
 
-        private
+      def parse_rsa_key(key)
+        {
+          kty: KTY,
+          n: encode_open_ssl_bn(key.n),
+          e: encode_open_ssl_bn(key.e),
+          d: encode_open_ssl_bn(key.d),
+          p: encode_open_ssl_bn(key.p),
+          q: encode_open_ssl_bn(key.q),
+          dp: encode_open_ssl_bn(key.dmp1),
+          dq: encode_open_ssl_bn(key.dmq1),
+          qi: encode_open_ssl_bn(key.iqmp)
+        }.compact
+      end
 
-        def jwk_attributes(jwk_data, *attributes)
-          attributes.each_with_object({}) do |attribute, hash|
-            value = jwk_data[attribute] || jwk_data[attribute.to_s]
-            value = yield(value) if block_given?
-            hash[attribute] = value
-          end
+      def jwk_attributes(*attributes)
+        attributes.each_with_object({}) do |attribute, hash|
+          hash[attribute] = decode_open_ssl_bn(self[attribute])
         end
+      end
 
-        def rsa_pkey(rsa_parameters)
-          raise JWT::JWKError, 'Key format is invalid for RSA' unless rsa_parameters[:n] && rsa_parameters[:e]
-
-          create_rsa_key(rsa_parameters)
-        end
+      def encode_open_ssl_bn(key_part)
+        return unless key_part
 
-        if ::JWT.openssl_3?
-          ASN1_SEQUENCE = %i[n e d p q dp dq qi].freeze
-          def create_rsa_key(rsa_parameters)
-            sequence = ASN1_SEQUENCE.each_with_object([]) do |key, arr|
-              next if rsa_parameters[key].nil?
+        ::JWT::Base64.url_encode(key_part.to_s(BINARY))
+      end
 
-              arr << OpenSSL::ASN1::Integer.new(rsa_parameters[key])
-            end
+      if ::JWT.openssl_3?
+        ASN1_SEQUENCE = %i[n e d p q dp dq qi].freeze
+        def create_rsa_key(rsa_parameters)
+          sequence = ASN1_SEQUENCE.each_with_object([]) do |key, arr|
+            next if rsa_parameters[key].nil?
 
-            if sequence.size > 2 # For a private key
-              sequence.unshift(OpenSSL::ASN1::Integer.new(0))
-            end
+            arr << OpenSSL::ASN1::Integer.new(rsa_parameters[key])
+          end
 
-            OpenSSL::PKey::RSA.new(OpenSSL::ASN1::Sequence(sequence).to_der)
+          if sequence.size > 2 # For a private key
+            sequence.unshift(OpenSSL::ASN1::Integer.new(0))
           end
-        elsif OpenSSL::PKey::RSA.new.respond_to?(:set_key)
-          def create_rsa_key(rsa_parameters)
-            OpenSSL::PKey::RSA.new.tap do |rsa_key|
-              rsa_key.set_key(rsa_parameters[:n], rsa_parameters[:e], rsa_parameters[:d])
-              rsa_key.set_factors(rsa_parameters[:p], rsa_parameters[:q]) if rsa_parameters[:p] && rsa_parameters[:q]
-              rsa_key.set_crt_params(rsa_parameters[:dp], rsa_parameters[:dq], rsa_parameters[:qi]) if rsa_parameters[:dp] && rsa_parameters[:dq] && rsa_parameters[:qi]
-            end
+
+          OpenSSL::PKey::RSA.new(OpenSSL::ASN1::Sequence(sequence).to_der)
+        end
+      elsif OpenSSL::PKey::RSA.new.respond_to?(:set_key)
+        def create_rsa_key(rsa_parameters)
+          OpenSSL::PKey::RSA.new.tap do |rsa_key|
+            rsa_key.set_key(rsa_parameters[:n], rsa_parameters[:e], rsa_parameters[:d])
+            rsa_key.set_factors(rsa_parameters[:p], rsa_parameters[:q]) if rsa_parameters[:p] && rsa_parameters[:q]
+            rsa_key.set_crt_params(rsa_parameters[:dp], rsa_parameters[:dq], rsa_parameters[:qi]) if rsa_parameters[:dp] && rsa_parameters[:dq] && rsa_parameters[:qi]
           end
-        else
-          def create_rsa_key(rsa_parameters) # rubocop:disable Metrics/AbcSize
-            OpenSSL::PKey::RSA.new.tap do |rsa_key|
-              rsa_key.n = rsa_parameters[:n]
-              rsa_key.e = rsa_parameters[:e]
-              rsa_key.d = rsa_parameters[:d] if rsa_parameters[:d]
-              rsa_key.p = rsa_parameters[:p] if rsa_parameters[:p]
-              rsa_key.q = rsa_parameters[:q] if rsa_parameters[:q]
-              rsa_key.dmp1 = rsa_parameters[:dp] if rsa_parameters[:dp]
-              rsa_key.dmq1 = rsa_parameters[:dq] if rsa_parameters[:dq]
-              rsa_key.iqmp = rsa_parameters[:qi] if rsa_parameters[:qi]
-            end
+        end
+      else
+        def create_rsa_key(rsa_parameters) # rubocop:disable Metrics/AbcSize
+          OpenSSL::PKey::RSA.new.tap do |rsa_key|
+            rsa_key.n = rsa_parameters[:n]
+            rsa_key.e = rsa_parameters[:e]
+            rsa_key.d = rsa_parameters[:d] if rsa_parameters[:d]
+            rsa_key.p = rsa_parameters[:p] if rsa_parameters[:p]
+            rsa_key.q = rsa_parameters[:q] if rsa_parameters[:q]
+            rsa_key.dmp1 = rsa_parameters[:dp] if rsa_parameters[:dp]
+            rsa_key.dmq1 = rsa_parameters[:dq] if rsa_parameters[:dq]
+            rsa_key.iqmp = rsa_parameters[:qi] if rsa_parameters[:qi]
           end
         end
+      end
 
-        def decode_open_ssl_bn(jwk_data)
-          return nil unless jwk_data
+      def decode_open_ssl_bn(jwk_data)
+        return nil unless jwk_data
 
-          OpenSSL::BN.new(::JWT::Base64.url_decode(jwk_data), BINARY)
+        OpenSSL::BN.new(::JWT::Base64.url_decode(jwk_data), BINARY)
+      end
+
+      class << self
+        def import(jwk_data)
+          new(jwk_data)
         end
       end
     end
diff --git a/spec/integration/readme_examples_spec.rb b/spec/integration/readme_examples_spec.rb
index 009aadef..42866dc3 100644
--- a/spec/integration/readme_examples_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/integration/readme_examples_spec.rb
@@ -277,7 +277,7 @@
       let(:logger_output) { StringIO.new }
       let(:logger) { Logger.new(logger_output) }
 
-      it 'works as expected' do
+      it 'works as expected (legacy)' do
         jwk = JWT::JWK.new(OpenSSL::PKey::RSA.new(2048), 'optional-kid')
         payload = { data: 'data' }
         headers = { kid: jwk.kid }
@@ -322,6 +322,70 @@
         token = JWT.encode(payload, jwk.keypair, 'RS512', headers)
         expect { JWT.decode(token, nil, true, { algorithms: ['RS512'], jwks: jwk_loader }) }.to raise_error(JWT::DecodeError, 'Could not find public key for kid yet-another-new-kid')
       end
+
+      it 'works as expected' do
+        jwk = JWT::JWK.new(OpenSSL::PKey::RSA.new(2048), kid: 'optional-kid')
+        payload = { data: 'data' }
+        headers = { kid: jwk.kid }
+
+        token = JWT.encode(payload, jwk.keypair, 'RS512', headers)
+
+        # The jwk loader would fetch the set of JWKs from a trusted source,
+        # to avoid malicious invalidations some kind of protection needs to be implemented.
+        # This example only allows cache invalidations every 5 minutes.
+        jwk_loader = ->(options) do
+          if options[:kid_not_found] && @cache_last_update < Time.now.to_i - 300
+            logger.info("Invalidating JWK cache. #{options[:kid]} not found from previous cache")
+            @cached_keys = nil
+          end
+          @cached_keys ||= begin
+            @cache_last_update = Time.now.to_i
+            { keys: [jwk.export] }
+          end
+        end
+
+        begin
+          JWT.decode(token, nil, true, { algorithms: ['RS512'], jwks: jwk_loader })
+        rescue JWT::JWKError
+          # Handle problems with the provided JWKs
+        rescue JWT::DecodeError
+          # Handle other decode related issues e.g. no kid in header, no matching public key found etc.
+        end
+
+        ## This is not in the example but verifies that the cache is invalidated after 5 minutes
+        jwk = JWT::JWK.new(OpenSSL::PKey::RSA.new(2048), 'new-kid')
+
+        headers = { kid: jwk.kid }
+
+        token = JWT.encode(payload, jwk.keypair, 'RS512', headers)
+        @cache_last_update = Time.now.to_i - 301
+
+        JWT.decode(token, nil, true, { algorithms: ['RS512'], jwks: jwk_loader })
+        expect(logger_output.string.chomp).to match(/^I, .* : Invalidating JWK cache. new-kid not found from previous cache/)
+
+        jwk = JWT::JWK.new(OpenSSL::PKey::RSA.new(2048), 'yet-another-new-kid')
+        headers = { kid: jwk.kid }
+        token = JWT.encode(payload, jwk.keypair, 'RS512', headers)
+        expect { JWT.decode(token, nil, true, { algorithms: ['RS512'], jwks: jwk_loader }) }.to raise_error(JWT::DecodeError, 'Could not find public key for kid yet-another-new-kid')
+      end
+    end
+
+    it 'JWK import and export' do
+      # Import a JWK Hash (showing an HMAC example)
+      _jwk = JWT::JWK.new({ kty: 'oct', k: 'my-secret', kid: 'my-kid' })
+
+      # Import an OpenSSL key
+      # You can optionally add descriptive parameters to the JWK
+      desc_params = { kid: 'my-kid', use: 'sig' }
+      jwk = JWT::JWK.new(OpenSSL::PKey::RSA.new(2048), desc_params)
+
+      # Export as JWK Hash (public key only by default)
+      _jwk_hash = jwk.export
+      _jwk_hash_with_private_key = jwk.export(include_private: true)
+
+      # Export as OpenSSL key
+      _public_key = jwk.public_key
+      _private_key = jwk.keypair if jwk.private?
     end
 
     it 'JWK with thumbprint as kid via symbol' do
@@ -344,13 +408,21 @@
       expect(jwk_hash[:kid].size).to eq(43)
     end
 
-    it 'JWK with thumbprint given in the initializer' do
+    it 'JWK with thumbprint given in the initializer (legacy)' do
       jwk = JWT::JWK.new(OpenSSL::PKey::RSA.new(2048), kid_generator: ::JWT::JWK::Thumbprint)
 
       jwk_hash = jwk.export
 
       expect(jwk_hash[:kid].size).to eq(43)
     end
+
+    it 'JWK with thumbprint given in the initializer' do
+      jwk = JWT::JWK.new(OpenSSL::PKey::RSA.new(2048), nil, kid_generator: ::JWT::JWK::Thumbprint)
+
+      jwk_hash = jwk.export
+
+      expect(jwk_hash[:kid].size).to eq(43)
+    end
   end
 
   context 'custom algorithm example' do
diff --git a/spec/jwk/ec_spec.rb b/spec/jwk/ec_spec.rb
index f5ecc360..2ff5f01b 100644
--- a/spec/jwk/ec_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/jwk/ec_spec.rb
@@ -69,6 +69,15 @@
         expect(subject).to include(:d)
       end
     end
+
+    context 'when a common parameter is given' do
+      let(:parameters) { { use: 'sig' } }
+      let(:keypair) { ec_key }
+      subject { described_class.new(keypair, parameters).export }
+      it 'returns a hash including the common parameter' do
+        expect(subject).to include(:use)
+      end
+    end
   end
 
   describe '.import' do
diff --git a/spec/jwk/hmac_spec.rb b/spec/jwk/hmac_spec.rb
index d7594077..ae2c3f27 100644
--- a/spec/jwk/hmac_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/jwk/hmac_spec.rb
@@ -58,6 +58,15 @@
           expect(subject.kid).to eq('custom_key_identifier')
         end
       end
+
+      context 'with a common parameter' do
+        let(:exported_key) {
+          super().merge(use: 'sig')
+        }
+        it 'imports that common parameter' do
+          expect(subject[:use]).to eq('sig')
+        end
+      end
     end
   end
 end
diff --git a/spec/jwk/rsa_spec.rb b/spec/jwk/rsa_spec.rb
index c9228778..d677f54a 100644
--- a/spec/jwk/rsa_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/jwk/rsa_spec.rb
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@
     context 'when unsupported keypair is given' do
       let(:keypair) { 'key' }
       it 'raises an error' do
-        expect { subject }.to raise_error(ArgumentError, 'keypair must be of type OpenSSL::PKey::RSA')
+        expect { subject }.to raise_error(ArgumentError)
       end
     end
 
@@ -78,19 +78,31 @@
       end
     end
 
-    context 'when kid is given as in a hash parameter' do
+    context 'when kid is given in a hash parameter' do
       it 'uses the given kid' do
         expect(described_class.new(OpenSSL::PKey::RSA.new(2048), kid: 'given').kid).to eq('given')
       end
     end
   end
 
+  describe '.common_parameters' do
+    context 'when a common parameters hash is given' do
+      it 'imports the common parameter' do
+        expect(described_class.new(OpenSSL::PKey::RSA.new(2048), use: 'sig')[:use]).to eq('sig')
+      end
+
+      it 'converts string keys to symbol keys' do
+        expect(described_class.new(OpenSSL::PKey::RSA.new(2048), { 'use' => 'sig' })[:use]).to eq('sig')
+      end
+    end
+  end
+
   describe '.import' do
     subject { described_class.import(params) }
     let(:exported_key) { described_class.new(rsa_key).export }
 
     context 'when keypair is imported with symbol keys' do
-      let(:params) { { e: exported_key[:e], n: exported_key[:n] } }
+      let(:params) { { kty: 'RSA', e: exported_key[:e], n: exported_key[:n] } }
       it 'returns a hash with the public parts of the key' do
         expect(subject).to be_a described_class
         expect(subject.private?).to eq false
@@ -99,7 +111,7 @@
     end
 
     context 'when keypair is imported with string keys from JSON' do
-      let(:params) { { 'e' => exported_key[:e], 'n' => exported_key[:n] } }
+      let(:params) { { 'kty' => 'RSA', 'e' => exported_key[:e], 'n' => exported_key[:n] } }
       it 'returns a hash with the public parts of the key' do
         expect(subject).to be_a described_class
         expect(subject.private?).to eq false
diff --git a/spec/jwk_spec.rb b/spec/jwk_spec.rb
index 3d3543f0..79ba8a2d 100644
--- a/spec/jwk_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/jwk_spec.rb
@@ -38,11 +38,18 @@
         expect(subject.export).to eq(params)
       end
     end
+
+    context 'when a common JWK parameter is specified' do
+      it 'returns the defined common JWK parameter' do
+        params[:use] = 'sig'
+        expect(subject.export).to eq(params)
+      end
+    end
   end
 
   describe '.new' do
-    let(:kid) { nil }
-    subject { described_class.new(keypair, kid) }
+    let(:options) { nil }
+    subject { described_class.new(keypair, options) }
 
     context 'when RSA key is given' do
       let(:keypair) { rsa_key }
@@ -61,10 +68,38 @@
 
     context 'when kid is given' do
       let(:keypair) { rsa_key }
-      let(:kid) { 'CUSTOM_KID' }
+      let(:options) { 'CUSTOM_KID' }
       it 'sets the kid' do
-        expect(subject.kid).to eq(kid)
+        expect(subject.kid).to eq(options)
+      end
+    end
+
+    context 'when a common parameter is given' do
+      subject { described_class.new(keypair, params) }
+      let(:keypair) { rsa_key }
+      let(:params) { { 'use' => 'sig' } }
+      it 'sets the common parameter' do
+        expect(subject[:use]).to eq('sig')
       end
     end
   end
+
+  describe '.[]' do
+    let(:params) { { use: 'sig' } }
+    let(:keypair) { rsa_key }
+    subject { described_class.new(keypair, params) }
+
+    it 'allows to read common parameters via the key-accessor' do
+      expect(subject[:use]).to eq('sig')
+    end
+
+    it 'allows to set common parameters via the key-accessor' do
+      subject[:use] = 'enc'
+      expect(subject[:use]).to eq('enc')
+    end
+
+    it 'rejects key parameters as keys via the key-accessor' do
+      expect { subject[:kty] = 'something' }.to raise_error(ArgumentError)
+    end
+  end
 end