Ebony wood

Wood library / Exotic hardwoods

Ebony

Ebony

Known for its near-black colour and fine, dense texture. Even a small piece has a substantial visual presence.

WOODWAY MAGAZINEKnown for piano keys, stringed-instrument fingerboards and chopsticks. Macassar ebony has alternating black and brown stripes.

Blocks and blanks show alternating vertical stripes of black and dark brown.

Scientific name
Diospyros spp.
Origin
Parts of Africa and Asia
Colour
Black to dark brown
Characteristics
Dark colour · Dense texture · Fine lustre
Suggested uses
Carving · Instrument parts · Handles · Small objects
Ask about this wood

Colour, figure, knots and cracks vary even within the same species. Check photographs, condition and usable dimensions of the actual piece before ordering.

Read more in Woodway Magazine

Ebony: A Wood Not Defined by a Single Shade of Black
Wood storiesEbony: A Wood Not Defined by a Single Shade of Black

When people hear “ebony,” they often picture a jet-black wood first. But when different ebonies are brought together, each has a distinct character: brown stripes across a black ground, reddish stripes, or black patterns spreading across a cream-colored ground.

Nov 6, 2026 · 4 min read
What Is Specialty Wood?
MaterialsWhat Is Specialty Wood?

Neither structural lumber nor plywood, but wood that is rare, beautiful, and strong.

Jul 14, 2025 · 7 min read

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