Thread: EBONY?

Unlikely to my eye, but even if it was, it would only be worth $5

IMO it is not ebony , I have a piece of ebony and it is jet black only

Garry

Originally Posted by dadpad

I was informed this was Ebony and might have some reasonable value. Ever the realist I'm aware it only has as much value as someone wants to pay.

Does this look like ebony? does it have any real value? I'm only after some idea of what it may be worth.

There may be a couple more pieces if it's worth while.

I think it may possibly be a species of ebony. I remember seeing the really solid black ebony at Lazarides, but they also had some other close relatives to that very black ebony. The close relatives were patterened with white, orange or brown stripes/patterns. Have a look at this link which shows pics of some of the ebony variants ...

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=e...w=1280&bih=800

Regards,

Roy

Your pictures are consistent with Mun ebony, Kamagong ebony (worth a lot) or Macassar ebony. I'm sure that there are other species that are similar in color but these are the three that come to mind. Short of genetic or microscopic analysis it will be difficult to identify it. Most of the ebony I have worked smells the same, rather like dirt, and it stains the hands black or brown. Macassar is somewhat stringy or fibrous and has a tendency to break or splinter along the fibers. Mun and Kamagong are much like Gabon/Gaboon ebony. Both are extremely hard and working with the grain is just as hard as across it. They do not have a tendency to splinter and are harder than soapstone but softer than marble. Careless work can easily break the cutting edges of chisels.
Such pieces sell here for between $5 and $15 but if it is Kamagong it might bring $30-$50 or more as the Philippine government has made export of un-worked timber illegal and the tree is an endangered species.

This desk clock is Kamagong made from a piece I acquired years ago.

kamagong clock.jpg

Hi, it is very difficult to tell from the photos as they are not pin sharp and the sample piece is very narrow.
It looks more like Queensland walnut.
What kind wight is it ? As far as I know true ebony sinks in water.

There are types of ebony which have stripes, normally referred to as Macassar ebony, Coromandel and Calamander, but the true jet black ebony is Gaboon.

As already stated, even if it was ebony would only be of nominal value.

Pretty sure that's Macassar Ebony. Looks identical to the pieces I have in the shed. About 2 pen blanks worth there, so about $5-6 as already stated.

Larger pieces might be worth more to someone.

Originally Posted by mark david

Hi, it is very difficult to tell from the photos as they are not pin sharp and the sample piece is very narrow.
It looks more like Queensland walnut.
What kind wight is it ? As far as I know true ebony sinks in water.

There are types of ebony which have stripes, normally referred to as Macassar ebony, Coromandel and Calamander, but the true jet black ebony is Gaboon.

As already stated, even if it was ebony would only be of nominal value.

the piece sinks in Water and weighs 300 grams. Comparable piece of radiata pine weighs 150 grams.

a couple more close up pics attached.

Thanks all for the info. Maccasar ebony seems a good fit and value between $5.00 and $15.00.

Originally Posted by snapper1

IMO it is not ebony , I have a piece of ebony and it is jet black only

Garry

Have a look at this video - not all ebony is totally black and the video explains why. It is a "must see" for all woodworkers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anCG...otation_395573

Cheers

Doug

Chances are it is more likely to be Queen Ebony, also known as Pacific Ebony or Tubi -Xanthostemon melanoxylon‐ Myrtacea being imported from the Solomon Islands by Sitco Australia and reasonably readily available. Beautiful timber, a similar weight and janka hardness to lignum vitae.

I have quite a bit of it, including pieces of about 100mm x 100mm x 800-900mm and it is very much the same as what you are showing in your pic's.

It will darken with age as it oxidises but there are a couple of ways of accelerating the process if desired.

Originally Posted by Larks

Chances are it is more likely to be Queen Ebony, also known as Pacific Ebony or Tubi -Xanthostemon melanoxylon‐ Myrtacea being imported from the Solomon Islands by Sitco Australia and reasonably readily available. Beautiful timber, a similar weight and janka hardness to lignum vitae.

I have quite a bit of it, including pieces of about 100mm x 100mm x 800-900mm and it is very much the same as what you are showing in your pic's.

It will darken with age as it oxidises but there are a couple of ways of accelerating the process if desired.

Probably should be called 'Pacific Penda' as it is NOT a true Ebony!North Queensland 'Black Penda' (Xanthostemon Chrysanthus) is very similar in appearance,weight and hardness.Marketing names can be VERY misleading...MM

Originally Posted by MAPLEMAN

Probably should be called 'Pacific Penda' as it is NOT a true Ebony!North Queensland 'Black Penda' (Xanthostemon Chrysanthus) is very similar in appearance,weight and hardness.Marketing names can be VERY misleading...MM

Dad used a lot of 'Black Penda' in Cairns for bearers & floor joist on high set houses in the early 1960's. Red Penda was also common then.

My thoughts are Macassar ebony but it is so difficult to reliably identify small section timber visually in the hand let alone from a photo.