Gaboon Ebony

Gaboon Ebony (Diospyros crassiflora)

Common Name(s): Gaboon Ebony, African Ebony, Nigerian Ebony, Cameroon Ebony

Scientific Name: Diospyros crassiflora

Distribution: Equatorial West Africa

Tree Size: 50-60 ft (15-18 m) tall, 2 ft (.6 m) trunk diameter

Average Dried Weight: 76 lbs/ft³ (1,215 kg/m³)

Basic Specific Gravity: .90

Hardness: 3,220 lb_f (14,320 N)

Bending Strength: 24,300 lb_f/in² (167,600 kPa)

Elasticity: 2,494,000 lb_f/in² (17,200 MPa)

Shrinkage: Radial: 6.5%, Tangential: 10.5%, Volumetric: 17.0%, T/R Ratio: 1.6

Color/Appearance: Heartwood is usually jet-black, with little to no variation or visible grain. Occasionally dark brown or grayish-brown streaks may be present.

Grain/Pore: Very fine pores and fine texture. The grain is usually straight but can also be interlocked.

Durability: Ebony is rated as being very durable, with good resistance to termites and other insects.

Workability: Due to the high oil content found in this wood, it can occasionally cause problems with gluing. Can be difficult to work due to its extremely high density. Has a dulling effect on cutters. Tearout may occur on pieces that have interlocked or irregular grain. Takes finishes well, and finishes to a high luster.

Smell: Ebony has a mild, slightly unpleasant odor when being worked.

Safety: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Ebony in the Diospyros genus has been reported as a sensitizer. Usually most common reactions simply include eye and skin irritation. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.

Price Range: Gaboon Ebony is among the most expensive of all available lumbers: usually about two to three times more expensive than most species of Rosewood. The small size of the tree, and its high demand for ornamental work may contribute to its seemingly outlandish price.

Comments:

There’s no mistaking Gaboon Ebony as there are few woods that are deep and solid black (unless dyed), and even most species in the Diospyros genus aren’t black. Other types of ebony include: Macassar (striped) Ebony, and Black and White Ebony. African Blackwood is very similar in density, color, and (unfortunately) cost, but is technically in the Dalbergia genus and isn’t considered a true ebony. Wenge and Katalox are two woods that are sometimes used as an ebony substitute.

Ebony is commonly used for small ornamental purposes, such as piano keys, musical instrument parts, pool cues, carvings, and other small specialty items. The wood is exceptionally dense, strong, and stiff; though it is considered to have moderate to poor stability through seasonal changes.

Related Species:

Macassar Ebony (Diospyros celebica)

Scans/Pictures: I’ve included only one picture of Gaboon Ebony in its unfinished and sanded state. The wood is virtually jet black, and only gets darker when a finish is applied. Also, due to its high density, you can also view a video showing how Ebony sinks in water.

Gaboon Ebony (sanded)