Pink Ivory

Pink Ivory (Berchemia zeyheri)

Common Name(s): Pink Ivory

Scientific Name: Berchemia zeyheri

Distribution: Southern Africa

Tree Size: 100-130 ft (30-40 m) tall, 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter

Average Dried Weight: 62 lbs/ft³ (985 kg/m³)

Basic Specific Gravity: .81

Hardness: 2,620 lb_f (11,640 N)*

*Estimated hardness based on specific gravity

Bending Strength: No data available

Elasticity: No data available

Shrinkage: No data available

Color/Appearance: Pink Ivory ranges in color from a pale brownish pink, to a bright, almost neon pink, to a deep red. Typically the most valuable pieces of Pink Ivory are a vibrant pink. Pink Ivory can commonly be seen with a curly or fiddleback grain pattern, further enhancing its visual impact.

Grain/Pore: Has a fine texture with a tight, uniform grain, and closed pores.

Durability: Rated as durable to very durable regarding decay resistance, Pink Ivory is said to have excellent weathering characteristics: though it is seldom used in applications where this would be an issue.

Workability: Pink Ivory has a pronounced blunting effect on cutting edges, and it’s fairly difficult to work in board form. Tearout can occur on figured or quartersawn sections during planing. Pink Ivory is much more common in applications involving carving or turning, and it turns and finishes well.

Smell: Pink Ivory has a distinct and somewhat unpleasant odor when being worked.

Safety: There have been no adverse health effects associated with Pink Ivory. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.

Price Range: Reputed to be a scarce commodity, Pink Ivory is typically very expensive, usually on par with Gaboon Ebony: another pricey African import.

Comments: Pink Ivory trees are said to be both rare and valuable, with rumors that the tree is considered royal to the Zulus in South Africa.

Some common uses for Pink Ivory include: carving, veneers, inlay, knife handles, billiard cues, chessmen, and other turned objects.

Related Species:

None available.

Scans/Pictures: The bright pink/red colors shown below represent what is usually the most sought-after hues of Pink Ivory. Also, you’ll see some Pink Ivory that has been turned into an ice cream scoop handle, and has been used in the Neapolitan pattern consisting of Black Walnut (chocolate), Hard Maple (vanilla), and Pink Ivory (strawberry).