Gaboon Ebony (with contrasting sapwood)
Diospyros crassiflora · Exotic/Tropical
- Type
- Exotic/Tropical
- Origin
- West-central Africa (including Cameroon, Gabon, and Nigeria).
- Hardness
- 3,220 lbf (Extremely Hard)
- Durability
- Very Durable. Excellent resistance to decay and termite attack.
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Grain Pattern
Straight to slightly irregular or interlocked grain with a fine, even texture.
Color & Appearance
The heartwood is pitch black, sometimes with dark brown or grayish-brown streaks, while the sharply demarcated sapwood is a pale yellowish-white or pinkish-orange. The wood has a low natural luster.
Hardness (Janka)
3,220 lbf (Extremely Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Very Durable. Excellent resistance to decay and termite attack.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $40.00 to $100.00+ per board foot (very high value, often sold by weight or smaller dimensional blanks).
- Wood Age Estimate
- Difficult to determine precisely; likely a modern commercially harvested piece, though ebony logs can grow for centuries.
- Sustainability Status
- Critically Endangered according to the IUCN Red List. Listed on CITES Appendix II. Highly restricted and heavily regulated.
Common Uses
Fine furniture, musical instrument parts (fretboards, piano keys, violin pegs), turning, inlays, and carving.
Geographic Origin
West-central Africa (including Cameroon, Gabon, and Nigeria).
Workability
Very difficult to work due to extreme density and hardness. It severely blunts cutting edges, and the high natural oil content can sometimes cause gluing difficulties. Pre-boring is required for nailing or screwing.
Finish Recommendations
Takes a high natural polish without needing a finish. Oils and waxes work well, but films like polyurethane may require careful surface preparation due to natural oils.
Notable Features
Extremely dense and heavy; sinks in water. Dust can be a severe irritant to eyes and respiratory systems due to natural toxins.
