Ebony – Macassar
- Indonesia
- Hardwood
- Very durable
Macassar Ebony (Diospyros celebica) is a highly decorative tropical hardwood native to Indonesia. It is best known for its striking appearance, featuring a dark brown to black heartwood with dramatic streaks or bands of golden-brown, amber and sometimes reddish tones. The grain is typically straight to interlocked, with a fine, even texture and a natural high lustre when polished. It is a very dense, hard and durable timber, offering excellent wear resistance and dimensional stability once properly seasoned, though it can be challenging to machine due to its hardness and potential for brittleness.
In the timber industry, Macassar Ebony is primarily used for luxury and decorative applications where its distinctive figure is highly valued. It is commonly specified for high-end furniture, veneers, cabinetry, interior panelling and architectural feature work, as well as for fine turnery and inlay. It is also used in musical instruments and bespoke design pieces, particularly where a dramatic visual effect is desired. Due to its scarcity and cost, it is generally reserved for premium, small-scale applications rather than structural use.
Suitable for:
Decorative and inlay
Musical instruments
Tool components
Turnery and wood ware
