Replies

1. 
   user-302616 | Apr 24, 2003 03:17pm | #1

   It could be....I've seen ebony from Indonesia thats black with green, yellow or even pink swirls and highlights - gorgeous! It might be Macassar ebony. It might turn black on exposure to air or light or it might be like persimmon which is a white ebony. The jet black ebony is mainly from Africa I believe. They all are dense and hard to the point of being brittle.

   Shane

2. 
   jonsherryl | Apr 24, 2003 08:16pm | #2

   Vic, the ebony genus (Diospyros) contains about 250 species worldwide and only a few of them produce jet black heartwood. The Indian species; D. ebenum and several of the West African species are the ones producing the typical black ebony on the international market.

   Many of the Southeast Asian and East Indian species have marbled figures, the best known probably being Macassar ebony from the Celebes...But there are many others.

   There is a "green ebony",  D. chloroxylon, which sounds like the wood you are describing, but it's primarily native to India...Perhaps they're now growing it in Indonesia...or the better bet might be they have a similar "green" species that is native there.

   The black pigmentation in ebony might darken a bit upon exposure, but unlike some woods (purpleheart, for example) the pigments don't suddenly materialize with exposure...They're clearly apparent in the log and it is believed they have something to do with the conversion (or breakdown) of lignin into ulmic acid (which might also be linked to why ebony wood tends to be brittle)...But the chemistry of wood pigments is one of the least understood corners of wood technology. 

1. 
   wop | Apr 26, 2003 12:00am | #5

     Just out of curiosity, Is Macassar ebony supposed to be expensive and rare ,or is it more commonly found. I have it available here at one of my suppliers but it is stock that has been around for 20 years or so.

                                                            Thanks for any info,

                                                                                Philip

1. 
   jonsherryl | Apr 26, 2003 01:53am | #6

   Wop, macassar is scarce, and becoming more so. This is true of virtually all of the black and/or attractively marbled ebonies...and the quality of what is available seems to erode daily...Especially in terms of the dimensions of the stock. A lot of it is now being sold by the pound. Fortunately, its primary use in musical instrument making doesn't require large pieces...but using it as the primary wood in a major furniture project will put you in the poorhouse. 

3. 
   Vic | Apr 25, 2003 12:23pm | #3

   Thanks for your feedback.  I'm having this trunk shipped to Hong Kong (where I'm based for the time being) and will have 1-1/2"x20" half rounds and 2-1/2"x 24" rounds made for a furniture project.  I'll try to post pictures!  Vic 

1. 
   AlanTurner | Apr 25, 2003 03:11pm | #4

   Please do so. I a most curiious about this wood and its appearance.

   Alan