4/4 Makassar Ebony Rough Sawn Lumber
Direct Kingma listing for Coromandel Ebony; inventory, lengths, and widths can rotate by variant.
View optionCoromandel Ebony Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Domestic hardwood species
Coromandel 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 melanoxylon
Janka hardness3,960 lbf
Average dried weight77.7 lb/ft³
Best fitInlay
Overview
Why choose Coromandel Ebony?
Coromandel Ebony is a domestic hardwood species associated with Primarily India and Sri Lanka (the wood’s name comes from the Coromandel Coast in southeastern India). 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 melanoxylon
DistributionPrimarily India and Sri Lanka (the wood’s name comes from the Coromandel Coast in southeastern India)
ShrinkageRadial: 5.4%, Tangential: 8.8%, Volumetric: 14.4%, T/R Ratio: 1.6 † Very High †These strength/shrinkage values were taken from only one source, [1] Gérard, J., Guibal, D., Paradis, S., & Cerre, J.
DurabilityPortions of black heartwood are very durable regarding decay resistance.
Coromandel Ebony colour, grain, and figure
Expect heartwood is a jet black, sometimes with reddish brown or purplish streaks. Sapwood is pale yellow to pink, and is clearly demarcated from the 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 .
Coromandel Ebony should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Coromandel 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 Coromandel 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.
Coromandel Ebony FAQ
What is Coromandel Ebony best used for?
Coromandel 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 Coromandel 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 Coromandel 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.