Olivewood
Olea europaea • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Interlocked and wavy with a fine, uniform texture. Naturally high in figure with dark streaks and swirling patterns typical of small-diameter trunks and branches.
Color Description
Heartwood is cream or yellowish-brown with high-contrast darker brown or black streaks. Colors tend to deepen and become more vibrant with age and exposure to light; high natural luster.
Hardness Rating
2,710 lbf (Extremely Hard)
Durability Rating
Poor to Moderately Durable; susceptible to insect attack and not recommended for outdoor use without heavy protection.
Common Uses
Turning (pens, bowls), high-end knife handles, kitchen utensils (spoons, cutting boards), veneer, and decorative small items.
Geographic Origin
Mediterranean Basin (Southern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$25.00 - $45.00 per board foot for high-figure turning blanks.
Wood Age Estimate
The wood appears freshly finished as a pen blank, likely from a modern harvest (under 10 years processed).
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; widely cultivated for fruit.
Workability
Easy to work despite its high density; it turns and polishes exceptionally well. High oil content can sometimes interfere with gluing and specific fast-drying finishes.
Notable Features
Distinctive sweet, olive-like scent when being worked. Very oily feel to the touch. Known for its distinct high-contrast marbled appearance.
Finish Recommendations
High-friction polish (typical for pens), Cyanoacrylate (CA) glue finish for high durability, or natural butcher block oils for kitchen items.
Identification Confidence
High; the yellowish-gold base color combined with the specific dark, wavy streaking and diffuse-porous structure is characteristic of Mediterranean Olivewood.