This material, which comes from several tree species in the Diospyros genus, has a long history of ornamental use. Lumber from these Diospyros trees is considered black ebony:.
Other trees in the same species have similar properties as black ebony, but with a variegated, striped hue rather than pure black. African ebony is the most traditionally used species and is prized for its rich, dark heartwood and dense, heavy consistency.
The jet-black heartwood features a fine, even straight grain, although interlocking grain is occasionally seen. It boasts a natural shine and is highly durable, with resistance to termites and other wood-boring insects.
Because ebony is so dense, working this hardwood can be difficult and may require specialized tools. The use of this hardwood for ornamental purposes dates to ancient Egypt, where carved ebony was found in royal tombs. By the late 16th century, ebony was prized for fine cabinetry with bas-relief carvings featuring religious or classical scenes.
These pieces were first created in Antwerp, where the Dutch largely depleted the supply of Mauritius ebony, and later crafted in Paris. In modern times, the use of ebony is relegated to small, ornamental items. Some common examples include crosses and religious paraphernalia, musical instrument parts such as piano keys and guitar fingerboards, guitar picks, figurines and chess pieces. Turned objects such as bowls and decorative veneers and inlays are also common.
Ebony is now highly-regulated and high demand for the wood has significantly increased prices. The trade and export of Ebony is rife with issues including illegal sourcing, bribery, and theft. There are many ways to insure the ethical and legal procurement of Ebony wood. At Northwood Rings we exclusively use Macassar Ebony, a wood type native to Southeast Asia, and found in the most biodiverse forests on earth. Unlike other Ebony tree types, Macassar Ebony grows surprisingly quick, is widespread, and is not endangered or even threatened.
This sustainable wood choice is responsibly sourced through our trusted suppliers, and we choose to use the offcut pieces from cabinetmakers. Ebony is a symbol of power, purity, balance, protection and luck for Pagans.
Actually there are many reasons why people shoot giraffes and lions. And also the main reason why animals are thriving in certain areas. HI Chris Im joining you in that strategy. Our domestic hardwoods here in ontario make a pretty sweet guitar. I am working pretty exclusively in local woods now and using the exotics as binding fretboards etc.
Its along time since ive seen ceylon ebony or evn a nice piece of Macassar. I think there is also joy to be had in using old furniture that has been thrown out for Guitars. Not just furniture but anything old that is otherwise for the fire.
Where I get a bit out of kilter is the retrospectively applied logic, if something was built years ago, when times were so different its plain daft to make it illegal. At least instruments have purpose, they are not meant to be trophies. Well to some they are I suppose. Numpty collectors. Thirty to forty years ago I was rummaging through a bin of trim pieces at a hardwood lumber supply place in Berkeley California when I came across a piece of black wood that was hard as a rock. I have always thought of it as ironwood and have never had the appropriate project in which to use it.
But this article makes me think it might be … Read more ». This morning I decided to go back and buy the piece of Gabon Ebony I had thought on for 2 days. I definitely need black.
Then I figured I better do a little research on Ebony. Yet it actually hurts me to give it up. I think it would be an awesome investment opportunity for someone to start an ebony tree farm in the tropics. Sort of like Diamond Tropical did with teak. I could be wrong, but I think one of the biggest obstacles to farming a lot of these endangered species not just ebony, but also rosewoods too , is that the growth rate is simply too slow for it to be financially worth it.
With some in-demand hardwoods like Teak or Mahogany, the growth rate seems to be fast enough to warrant cultivating these trees on plantations. Deforestation is another issue altogether. They are concerned with conservation and are in fact cultivating new ebony forests. The problem is less often the woodworker than the client who demands rare and endangered wood species, simply because they are rare and expensive, to feed their egos.
You can help support the site by buying one of these resources, designed and published by The Wood Database. The specific links on this site are affiliate links as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases and help support the site at no extra cost to you. See my page on donating wood samples for more info. Katalox Swartzia spp. Black Palm Borassus flabellifer Black Palm is economical, sustainable, beautiful, and in a lot of instances, would probably serve the same aesthetic function as ebony—and do it in a more organic and natural-looking way.
Black Walnut Juglans nigra Walnut can lose a lot of color in the kiln-dying process. Texas Ebony Ebenopsis ebano Texas Ebony can have very dark colors and interesting streaks and grain patterns.
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Inline Feedbacks. Reply to Bjorn. Joseph Ellison. Marcella Marais. Reply to Bill. Timothy Tikker. Reply to Timothy Tikker. Jim Fellows. Reply to Jim Fellows. Igor' Olechnowicz. Ray Emery. Theron Morgan-Brown. Large trees may have low buttresses. Especially on the branches and on the boles of younger trees there are scattered straight, conical, pale-colored spines, which often bear leaves and flowers. In older trees there are irregular flaky patches.
It is a heavily branched tree and the crown is usually rather irregular and rather open though in well-developed individuals it is more rounded and heavier. Not all Black Ebony is the same. The darker the wood, the more valuable it is. Pure black wood only comes from trees that are years old or more. Almost all of the marketable trees were harvested long ago and the few that are left are typically poached.
The wod from young trees is light brown and is less valuable, usually cut when it is just 50 years old. There may be a solution for disappearing Black Ebony. As it happens, this tree makes an excellent bonsai tree.
They grow small and compact, typically attaining a height of just 3 or 4 feet. Annual reductions will keep the tree small and squat.
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