Ebony Wood: Complete Guide

Introduction

When we talk about ebony wood we must keep in mind that the term ebony (from the Latin ebenus, from the Greek dýphnos) includes various dark woods belonging to the Diospyros genus and other similar plants.

Its value generally lies in its intense black hue, exceptional density and use in fine cabinetmaking, musical instruments and ornamental pieces.

But not all ebony is created equal. In this guide, we break down the main types:

Type of ebony	Scientific name	Main origin	Key Notes
Gabon ebony	Diospyros. crassiflora	Western Equatorial Africa	Black ebony
Java or Makassar ebony	Diospyros. celebica	Sulawesi (Indonesia)	Brown-black striped
Malabar Ebony (black and white)	Diospyros. malabarica	South India and SE Asia	Coromandel or black and white ebony

Below, we explore each of them.

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Gabon ebony (Diospyros crassiflora)

Typically, when we refer to ebony, we’re talking about Gabonese black ebony. In its highest grade, this wood is completely black and, when polished, has a plastic-like appearance.

Currently, its availability is very limited and is mostly reduced to material cut decades ago.

Origin and distribution

Native to the Congo Basin, present in Gabon, Cameroon, Nigeria, Congo, and Equatorial Guinea. They reach 15–18 m in height, with straight trunks ~0.6–1 m in diameter.

Characteristics of Gabon ebony wood

• Colour: Absolute black, with no veins or very few brown/greyish variations.
• Density and hardness: dry weight ≈955kg/m³; specific gravity 0.82–0.96; Janka hardness ≈3080lbf.
• Modulus of rupture/elasticity: MOR 158MPa, MOE 16.9GPa, crushing 76.3MPa.
• Shrinkage: radial 8.3%, tangential 11.2%, volumetric 19.6% (T/R=1.3).
• Very slow drying with a tendency to crack and warp.

Common uses

Gabon ebony has traditionally been one of the most prized woods in cabinetmaking (hence its name). Its use is not widespread, typically for inlays, string instruments, carving, or piano keys.

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Java Ebony / Makassar (Diospyros celebica)

Origin and distribution

Endemic to Sulawesi, Indonesia, especially the Palu and Donggala regions; highly sought after since colonial times for its interesting grain.

Characteristics of Makassar ebony wood

• Color and grain: Broad black and brown or reddish-brown veins, aesthetically appealing.
• Density: between 1000 and 1300 kg/m3, it is one of the densest woods in the world.
• Texture: wavy straight grain, fine texture.
• Difficulty in drying and working: prone to cracking, requires a long drying time.

Common uses

Makassar ebony is ideal for fine cabinetmaking, luxury turning, inlays, and interior decoration. It is the most famous ebony wood after pure black ebony.

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Malabar Ebony (Black and White) (Diospyros malabarica)

Origin and distribution

It originates from southern India, Sri Lanka, Laos, and Vietnam; it is known as Malabar ebony or pale moon ebony.

Features

• Color: Light background (white or beige) flecked with black veins; some pieces may be completely black.
• Density: ~825kg/m³ (51lb/ft³); basic gravity 0.67–0.82.
• Hardness: Janka ~1780lbf (7920N).
• Texture: fine, straight grain; natural luster.

Common uses

Black and white ebony wood is commonly used in woodturning, cutlery, inlays, instruments, and decorative pieces.

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Comparative table of technical characteristics

Species (Diospyros)	Density (kg/m³)	Janka (lbf)	Color/Pattern
D. crassiflora (Gabón)	955	3 080	Black aged, no veining
D. celebica (Makassar)	1000-1 300	~2 300–3 000	Black + reddish brown (striped)
D. malabarica (Malabar)	825	1 780	Light background, black veins
D. melanoxylon (Coromandel)	~1 000+	~2 500–3 000	Black or dark green
D. mun (Mun Ebony)	1 065	~3 000	Brown with black veins

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Other woods called ebony

Ebony coromandel (D. melanoxylon)

Extremely dense wood, with a deep black or dark green color. Used in traditional inlays, instruments, and vessels. Formerly used for medicinal purposes and for wrapping tobacco.

Mun ebony (D. mun)

Endemic to Laos and Vietnam. Dense (~1065kg/m³), Janka ~3000lbf. Wood with a rare brown grain. Ideal for turning, inlays, and decorative pieces.

Mauritius ebony (D. tessellaria), Queensland/myrtle ebony (D. pentamera, D. humilis)

Island varieties with a dark brown color and black veins; high density; used locally for artwork and crafts.

Cocus wood (Haematoxylum campechianum)

Not related to Diospyros, but sometimes called green ebony because of its dark color and reddish veining. It has a moderate to high density. There is currently no supply of this wood; only a few logs and small pieces remain.

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Conclusion

• Gabon Ebony is the common reference for its uniform black, extreme density and hardness.
• Makassar Ebony stands out for its grain and high density.
• Black and white ebony is the most visually interesting due to its color contrasts. However, it is not as dense as the other ebony colors.
• Other varieties (coromandel, mun, mauritius…) provide alternatives with diverse patterns and tones, some with cultural or traditional medicinal value.

Knowing their differences is vital to making appropriate selections based on technical, aesthetic, or historical use.

At Ligna, we stock some of these woods for small, custom-made projects.