Hainan Huanghuali
Dalbergia odorifera • Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Highly irregular and figured; features distinctive 'ghost faces' (circular knots), 'flying man' patterns, and tight, wavy interlocked grain with cathedral peaks.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from golden yellow to reddish-brown with deep purple or black streaks. It exhibits high natural luster and chatoyance, darkening to a deep mahogany or wine-red with age.
Hardness Rating
1,750 lbf (Hard to Very Hard classification)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; extremely resistant to rot, termites, and moisture decay due to high natural oil content.
Common Uses
High-end traditional Chinese furniture (Ming and Qing style), intricate carvings, luxury turnings, and fine art collectibles.
Geographic Origin
Native to Hainan Island, China; also found in smaller quantities in Vietnam.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$500 - $1,500 per board foot for authentic Hainan material; one of the most expensive timbers in the world.
Wood Age Estimate
The furniture appears to be a modern high-quality reproduction (20-40 years old) of traditional Ming styles, shown by the sharpness of the carvings and the state of the film finish.
Sustainability Status
CITES Appendix II listed; IUCN Red List status: Vulnerable. Extremely rare and strictly regulated in international trade.
Workability
Difficult due to its extreme density and interlocked grain; however, it turns and carves beautifully. High oil content can make gluing challenging and may clog sandpaper.
Notable Features
Famous for its distinct, sweet, and mellow fragrance known as 'Jiang Xiang'. It is heavy, sinks or near-sinks in water, and has medicinal uses in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Finish Recommendations
Best finished with natural wax or high-quality oils to allow the wood to 'breathe' and release its scent. Often seen with a thin lacquer or shellac to protect the high-polish figure.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of 'ghost eye' knots, the specific deep burgundy-on-gold color palette, and the traditional Chinese furniture context is diagnostic for the Dalbergia genus, specifically the Huanghuali variety.