How to distinguish between ebony and rosewood?

Black sandalwood is a precious wood, and it can be difficult for novice collectors to distinguish it from rosewood. Therefore, the editors at Zhongmu.com have compiled methods for differentiating black sandalwood from rosewood:

What is black sandalwood?

Black rosewood is a precious wood originating from tropical regions, primarily Africa. Its most distinctive feature is the clear distinction between heartwood and sapwood. The sapwood is white while the heartwood is black. Therefore, ebony is typically processed using only the heartwood, while the sapwood is usually discarded or used to make other items.

Black ebony wood is thick, has a beautiful luster, irregular grain, and a faint or no fragrance. It is resistant to decay and highly durable, so in the domestic timber market, ebony is generally used to make furniture, such as tables and chairs. It is rot-resistant, water-resistant, and very sturdy.

The difference between black sandalwood and rosewood

①. Color

Most sandalwood is purplish-red and absorbs light. Old sandalwood of small-leaf variety can also be a very bright blood red. In contrast, the heartwood of black sandalwood is dark brown and has a very glossy appearance in sunlight. This is because small-leaf sandalwood contains a large amount of santalin. The identification method is that sandalwood turns red under an alcohol reaction, while black sandalwood turns brown.

Rosewood furniture

②. Fragrance

Red sandalwood has a unique sandalwood fragrance that is pleasant and very comfortable to smell, and it has good medicinal value, while black sandalwood has a faint scent or no fragrance at all.

③. Material

Black sandalwood is very thick and has a fine texture, but its hardness is not as good as that of rosewood, which is why the price of black sandalwood is much lower than that of small-leaf rosewood.

In summary, compared to the above, small-leaf sandalwood is like a gentle and refined hermit, while ebony is more like a robust warrior. The two are quite different in terms of wood properties and the feeling they evoke. However, ebony has a thick and solid wood texture and is a very popular wood in the furniture market. Collectors who like it can consider purchasing it at their discretion.