Macassar Ebony

1.70 x 1.70 x 9.5

Macassar Ebony (Diospyros celebica) is a premium tropical hardwood celebrated for its striking dark brown and black stripes, exceptional density, fine texture, and luxurious appearance. Unlike the nearly solid-black appearance associated with some other ebony species, Macassar Ebony displays dramatic bands of chocolate brown, reddish brown, and jet black that create remarkable contrast in finished woodworking projects.

This exotic hardwood is particularly desirable among woodturners, pen makers, knife makers, musical instrument builders, and fine craftsmen. Its naturally bold coloration makes even small projects visually distinctive, while its dense structure allows carefully worked pieces to develop a smooth, polished surface.

Whether used for custom pens, knife scales, bottle stoppers, game calls, jewelry, or decorative accents, Macassar Ebony delivers a sophisticated appearance that stands out among exotic hardwoods.

Botanical Information

Botanical Name: Diospyros celebica Bakh.

Family: Ebenaceae

Genus: Diospyros

Species: Diospyros celebica

Wood Type: Tropical hardwood

Native Origin: Sulawesi, Indonesia

Common & Trade Names

Macassar Ebony, Macassar Ebony Wood, Makassar Ebony, Striped Ebony, Coromandel Ebony, Sulawesi Ebony, and Diospyros celebica.

Important: The names Striped Ebony and Coromandel Ebony can sometimes be applied to other Diospyros species in the timber trade. This listing specifically refers to Diospyros celebica.

Origin & Distribution

Macassar Ebony is native to Sulawesi, Indonesia, an island historically known as Celebes.

The name Macassar derives from Makassar, a major port city associated with the historical trade of this valuable wood.

The species grows in tropical forest environments and is especially prized for its distinctive striped heartwood.

Macassar Ebony has a long history of use in fine furniture, decorative veneers, cabinetry, musical instruments, and luxury woodworking.

Because mature trees grow slowly and supplies of desirable striped heartwood can be limited, Macassar Ebony is generally considered a premium specialty hardwood.

Color & Appearance

Macassar Ebony is best known for its dramatic striped appearance.

Heartwood may display:

Jet black

Dark chocolate brown

Medium brown

Reddish brown

Warm golden brown

Irregular dark streaks

Bold alternating bands of black and brown

The sapwood is typically much lighter, ranging from pale yellow to cream, and contrasts strongly with the dark heartwood.

Stripe width, color intensity, and grain pattern vary from piece to piece.

Some blanks show relatively straight, parallel stripes, while others display irregular or wavy patterns.

A clear finish often deepens the dark tones and increases the visual contrast between the stripes.

Grain & Texture

Macassar Ebony typically has a fine, even texture and grain that may be straight, irregular, or interlocked.

Common characteristics include:

Fine texture

Straight to irregular grain

Occasional interlocked grain

Bold natural striping

High density

Excellent polishing potential

The wood's dense, fine structure can produce a smooth surface with an attractive natural sheen.

Interlocked grain may require careful cutting techniques to avoid tear-out.

Wood Characteristics

Macassar Ebony is a very dense and hard tropical hardwood.

Representative characteristics for Diospyros celebica include:

Average Dried Weight: Approximately 70 lbs/ft³ (1,120 kg/m³)

Specific Gravity: Approximately 0.89 basic / 1.12 at 12% moisture content

Janka Hardness: Approximately 3,220 lbf (14,320 N)

Grain: Straight to interlocked

Texture: Fine and even

Natural Luster: Moderate

Color: Black and brown striped heartwood

These values are representative averages. Actual properties vary depending on the individual tree, moisture content, and grain structure.

Stability & Durability

Macassar Ebony is extremely dense and can provide excellent wear resistance in properly finished projects.

However, its density also makes it susceptible to checking, cracking, and movement when moisture changes occur too quickly.

Careful drying and acclimation are essential.

For pen blanks, knife scales, and other precision projects, allowing the wood to stabilize before machining can reduce the risk of later movement.

Avoid exposing unfinished blanks to rapid temperature or humidity changes.

Workability & Woodturning

Macassar Ebony is highly valued for woodturning but requires patience and sharp tools because of its hardness and density.

Its dense structure can be abrasive to cutting edges, so frequent sharpening may be necessary.

Interlocked grain may produce tear-out if tools are dull or cuts are too aggressive.

Recommended practices include:

Use sharp turning tools and carbide cutters where appropriate.

Take controlled, lighter cuts.

Avoid excessive heat during drilling and sanding.

Clear drill chips frequently.

Inspect blanks for checks before machining.

Allow material to acclimate before precision turning.

Macassar Ebony is particularly suitable for:

Custom pens

Pen turning blanks

Knife handles

Knife scales

Bottle stoppers

Game calls

Decorative turnings

Jewelry

Small boxes

Instrument components

Fine woodworking accents

Its bold stripes make it especially appealing for projects that showcase natural wood color rather than stains or dyes.

Finishing

Macassar Ebony can produce a beautiful, highly polished finish.

Suitable finishing options include:

Cyanoacrylate (CA) finishes for pens

Shellac

Lacquer

Polyurethane

Hardwax oils

Selected oil finishes

Wax and buffing compounds

Because ebony can contain natural extractives, some finishes and adhesives may require careful surface preparation.

A test application is recommended.

Sanding through progressively finer grits and careful polishing can produce a smooth, glossy surface.

Avoid excessive sanding heat, which may contribute to surface checking or other defects.

Ideal Uses

Macassar Ebony wood blanks are excellent for:

Premium pen blanks and custom pens

Knife handles and knife scales

Bottle stoppers

Duck calls and game calls

Decorative woodturning

Jewelry and accessories

Small boxes

Custom handles

Musical instrument components

Guitar fingerboards and decorative accents

Inlays and trim

Fine furniture details

Luxury woodworking projects

Collectible and artistic pieces

Health & Safety

Macassar Ebony wood dust can cause irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Potential concerns include:

Skin Irritation: Ebony dust may cause itching, redness, or dermatitis.

Respiratory Irritation: Fine airborne dust may irritate the nose, throat, and lungs.

Eye Irritation: Dust particles may cause discomfort.

Sensitization: Repeated exposure may increase the likelihood of allergic reactions in susceptible individuals.

When cutting, drilling, sanding, or turning Macassar Ebony:

Use effective dust extraction.

Wear properly fitted respiratory protection appropriate for fine wood dust.

Use eye protection and a face shield when turning.

Avoid prolonged skin contact with dust.

Maintain good workshop ventilation.

Clean dust using extraction rather than compressed air.

Macassar Ebony is dense and hard, so secure workholding and sharp tools are especially important.

CITES & Conservation

Macassar Ebony (Diospyros celebica) is not generally included in the CITES timber listings that apply to certain other ebony species. However, this does not mean the species is free from conservation concerns or trade restrictions.

Diospyros celebica has experienced pressure from logging and habitat loss, and it is considered a conservation-sensitive timber.

Harvesting and trade may be regulated by Indonesian forestry laws and other applicable requirements.

International buyers should verify current regulations, legal sourcing documentation, and any import requirements before shipping.

Responsible sourcing is especially important for valuable, slow-growing tropical hardwoods.

Interesting Facts

Named for a Historic Port: Macassar Ebony takes its trade name from Makassar, an important Indonesian trading center.

Native to Sulawesi: The species is closely associated with the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.

Naturally Striped: Its dramatic black-and-brown stripes occur naturally in the heartwood.

Exceptionally Dense: Macassar Ebony is among the denser hardwoods commonly used in specialty woodworking.

Fine Polishing Ability: Its dense, fine texture can produce an exceptionally smooth finished surface.

Luxury Applications: Macassar Ebony has been used in high-end furniture, decorative veneers, and musical instruments.

Why Choose Macassar Ebony Wood?

Macassar Ebony combines dramatic natural striping, exceptional density, fine texture, and luxurious appearance in one distinctive tropical hardwood.

Its bold black-and-brown grain makes each blank visually unique, while its ability to develop a smooth, polished finish makes it an outstanding choice for premium custom projects.

For pen makers, knife makers, woodturners, instrument builders, and fine craftsmen, Macassar Ebony offers an unmistakable appearance that few hardwoods can match.

Whether you're creating a custom pen, crafting a knife handle, making a bottle stopper, or producing a decorative turning, Macassar Ebony delivers natural elegance and striking contrast.

Oakbrook Wood Turning Supply offers Macassar Ebony Wood for craftsmen seeking distinctive exotic hardwood blanks with dramatic grain and exceptional finishing potential.

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