Olivewood
Olea europaea • Exotic/Tropical
Grain Pattern
Highly irregular and interlocked with wavy and cathedral patterns; contains distinctive bird's eye and burl-like figure with dark streaks and swirling grain typical of orchard wood.
Color Description
Heartwood is cream or yellowish-brown with high-contrast dark brown or black streaks. Luster is high, and the wood darkens slightly with age to a deep amber-gold. Sapwood is very pale yellow and usually clearly demarcated.
Hardness Rating
2,700 lbf (Extremely Hard)
Durability Rating
Durable to Very Durable regarding decay resistance, though it is susceptible to insect attack (specifically termites/borers) if untreated.
Common Uses
Turning, high-end furniture, knife handles, kitchenware (bowls/spoons), decorative veneers, and religious carvings.
Geographic Origin
Mediterranean Basin (Southern Europe, North Africa, Middle East), though cultivated globally.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$25.00 to $45.00 per board foot depending on figure intensity and size of the turning blank.
Wood Age Estimate
The sample appears recently turned and finished, likely less than 1-2 years old based on the lack of oxidation and the high-polish finish on the keychain hardware.
Sustainability Status
Not listed on CITES Appendices or the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; generally sustainable as it is often sourced from pruned fruit trees.
Workability
Difficult to work due to high density and interlocked grain which causes tearout. Glues well and finishes to a very high natural luster. Contains high oil content which can gum up sandpaper.
Notable Features
Distinctive sweet, fruity scent when worked. High oil content makes it naturally water-resistant. Known for exceptional chatoyance and marble-like appearance when polished.
Finish Recommendations
Best suited for oil (mineral oil or tung oil) to enhance internal depth, or high-gloss CA (cyanoacrylate) finish for small turned items like this keychain to provide durability.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of high-contrast marbling, creamy yellowish base color with chaotic dark streaks, and the specific application in a small turned turnery item is characteristic of Olivewood.