Macassar Ebony
Scientific name: Diospyros celebica
Overview
Macassar Ebony is a highly decorative ebony species native to Indonesia. Unlike solid-black African ebony, Macassar is known for its dramatic striping, featuring dark brown to black heartwood with contrasting golden or reddish-brown streaks.
It is widely used in luxury furniture, veneer, musical instruments, and fine turning due to its striking appearance and density.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Macassar Ebony
- Scientific Name: Diospyros celebica
- Region: Asian Hardwoods (Indonesia – Sulawesi)
- Tree Size: 60–80 ft tall, 1–2 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 63 lbs/ft³ (1,010 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 3,220 lbf
- Color: Dark brown to black with dramatic lighter brown striping
- Grain: Usually straight, sometimes slightly interlocked
- Texture: Fine and smooth
Identification Characteristics
Macassar Ebony is easily identified by its dramatic striped appearance. The heartwood is dark brown to nearly black, contrasted by lighter brown or golden streaks.
Sapwood is pale and sharply defined from the darker heartwood.
Key identification traits include:
- Dark brown to black base color
- Strong contrasting streaks
- Very fine texture
- Heavy and dense feel
Working Properties
Macassar Ebony is extremely dense and can be difficult to machine.
- Dulls cutting tools quickly
- Turns and carves well with sharp tooling
- Sands to a glass-smooth finish
- Excellent polishing properties
- Pre-drilling recommended
Its density allows for extremely fine detailing in small projects.
Safety Note
Ebony dust may cause allergic reactions or respiratory irritation. Due to its density, fine dust particles are common. Proper dust collection and respiratory protection are strongly recommended.
Common Uses
Macassar Ebony is commonly used in:
- High-end furniture
- Luxury veneer
- Musical instruments
- Turned objects
- Decorative panels
Its bold striping makes it especially valued in statement pieces.
Macassar Ebony is frequently selected where visual impact is a primary design feature.
Sustainability & Notes
Macassar Ebony has faced harvesting pressure due to high demand. Trade regulations may apply depending on region and export destination. Responsible sourcing and documentation are encouraged.
Availability may vary due to regulation and forest management practices.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Ceylon Ebony – A classic ebony species prized for its nearly jet-black color and extremely fine texture, often used in musical instruments and fine decorative work.
Mun Ebony – A dense Southeast Asian ebony known for its dark coloration and use in carving, turning, and specialty woodworking.
Cocuswood – A Caribbean ebony species valued for its hardness and deep color, historically used in fine furniture and ornamental woodworking.
Related Guides
How to Identify Exotic Hardwood by Grain Pattern
Studying grain texture and color contrast helps distinguish ebony species from other dark tropical hardwoods.
Sapwood vs. Heartwood Explained
Explore Sapwood vs. Heartwood Explained to understand why this species can develop noticeable differences between its lighter outer wood and mature heartwood.
Understanding CITES & Protected Species
Many ebony species are regulated due to conservation concerns and international trade restrictions.
Zebrawood vs. Goncalo Alves
Explore Zebrawood vs. Goncalo Alves to compare two boldly figured exotic hardwoods and see how their appearance, density, workability, and applications differ.
Wenge vs. Ebony
Explore Wenge vs. Ebony to compare dark exotic hardwoods in color, density, hardness, workability, and high-end woodworking applications.
Compare Wood Properties
See how this species ranks in density and hardness using our Wood Density & Janka Hardness Chart. You can also explore Hardest Woods, Softest Woods, and Most Dense Woods for quick comparisons.
Collector Notes
Macassar Ebony is highly desirable among collectors due to its dramatic striping. Boards with strong contrast and consistent patterning are typically preferred.
Because of its density, properly seasoned material is especially valued for stability.
Video Overview
Share Your Photos of This Species
Do you have lumber, wood samples, tree photographs, woodworking projects, furniture, carvings, turnings, musical instruments, or other items made from this species?
Exotic Woods of the World welcomes photographs from woodworkers, collectors, sawyers, researchers, and wood enthusiasts around the world. Selected submissions may be featured on this page and throughout our website to help document and showcase real-world examples of this species.
When submitting photos, please include the common name, scientific name (if known), a brief description, and any information you would like us to share with the image.
Wood Sample Collection
This species is part of an ongoing effort to document and preserve wood samples from around the world.
Learn more about contributing to the collection:
Resources
Authoritative botanical and forestry references used in compiling information about this species include:
• USDA Forest Service – Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material
https://www.fpl.fs.usda.gov/products/publications/
• The Wood Database – Global reference for wood identification, physical properties, and woodworking characteristics
https://www.wood-database.com/
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – Plants of the World Online – Botanical taxonomy and species distribution database
https://powo.science.kew.org/
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Red List) – Global conservation status assessments
https://www.iucnredlist.org/
• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) – International trade regulations for protected plant species
https://cites.org/
Additional forestry publications, academic research papers, and regional timber studies may also be referenced where available.
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Contributions help fund the continued expansion of this archive while promoting sustainable forestry education and the long-term appreciation of the world’s forests.
Interested in supporting this species? Visit our Adopt a Species and Conservation Partners pages to learn more.
Availability & Where to Buy
Exotic hardwood availability can vary significantly depending on region, sustainability regulations, and supplier inventory.
As this archive grows, recommended suppliers and specialty wood retailers will be listed here to help woodworkers locate responsibly sourced material.
Lumber Suppliers:
Availability varies — see the Where to Buy Exotic Woods page for current sources.
Related Tools & Products:
• Diablo Fine Finish Saw Blade with 60 Hi-ATB Teeth for ultra-smooth and precise woodworking cuts
https://amzn.to/4f0ShPq
• Mirka Abranet Sanding Mesh Discs Assorted Grit Pack for dust-free sanding and fine surface finishing
https://amzn.to/4dGY5LM
• Tried & True Danish Oil Finish for enhancing wood grain and protecting woodworking projects with a natural finish
https://amzn.to/4tVNF0R
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