4/4 Makassar Ebony Rough Sawn Lumber
Direct Kingma listing for Ceylon Ebony; inventory, lengths, and widths can rotate by variant.
View optionCeylon Ebony Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Ceylon Ebony is best understood by how it looks, how it works, and where it should be used. This guide explains the practical buying details before sending you to the right Kingma products.
Scientific nameDiospyros ebenum
Janka hardness2,430 lbf
Average dried weight57 lb/ft³
Best fitInlay
Overview
Why choose Ceylon Ebony?
Ceylon Ebony is a imported specialty hardwood associated with Southeast Asia. It is useful when the project calls for inlay, carving, musical instrument parts (piano keys, bridges, nuts, etc.), and turned objects
For SEO and customer usefulness, this page separates the science from the buying decision: appearance, working behaviour, durability, project fit, and then the right Kingma shopping path.
Scientific nameDiospyros ebenum
DistributionSoutheast Asia
ShrinkageRadial: 5.4%, Tangential: 8.8%, Volumetric: 14.3%, T/R Ratio: 1.6
DurabilityPortions of black heartwood are very durable regarding decay resistance.
Ceylon Ebony colour, grain, and figure
Expect heartwood is a jet black, sometimes with grey or dark brown streaks. Pale yellow sapwood is clearly demarcated from heartwood.
In practical selection, the grain and texture are best treated this way: grain is typically straight or sometimes irregular, with a fine, uniform texture. Has a high level of natural luster.
Working notes
In the shop, overall difficult to work on account of its density and strong blunting effect on cutting edges. Can be difficult to dry, with checks or other drying defects developing.
Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Ebony in the Diospyros genus has been reported as a sensitizer .
Ceylon Ebony should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Ceylon Ebony
Best projects
Inlay, carving, musical instrument parts (piano keys, bridges, nuts, etc.), and turned objects
Use caution
Avoid specifying it by name alone; confirm board size, moisture, colour, figure, and the project environment before buying.
Finish strategy
Test finishes on offcuts first, especially when colour, blotching, outdoor exposure, or grain filling matters.
Buying note
Choose boards, slabs, plywood, blanks, or posts based on the project rather than species name alone.
Shop path
Buying Ceylon Ebony from Kingma
Start with the direct species match when Kingma sells it. If stock rotates, use the closest live collection or a clearly explained alternative.
Wenge rough sawn lumber
Dark exotic alternative for accent parts and premium contrast.
View optionWalnut lumber collection
Practical dark premium alternative when the project needs easier machining.
View optionSimilar woods and alternatives
If Kingma does not have an exact match online, use the buying links below as practical alternatives only when the colour, grain, hardness, or project environment makes sense.
Ceylon Ebony FAQ
What is Ceylon Ebony best used for?
Ceylon Ebony is best considered for inlay, carving, musical instrument parts (piano keys, bridges, nuts, etc.), and turned objects. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Ceylon Ebony beginner friendly?
It depends on density, grain direction, and tooling. Test cuts on offcuts first, and choose Maple, Cherry, Walnut, or Poplar when easier machining is the priority.
Does Kingma sell Ceylon Ebony?
Use the buying section on this page. If an exact product is not listed, the linked alternatives are included only when they make practical sense for colour, grain, or project use.