Ebony

Ebony is a dense black/brown hardwood, most commonly yielded by several species in the genus Diospyros. Ebony is dense enough to sink in water. It is finely-textured and has a mirror finish when polished, making it valuable as an ornamental wood.

Species

The best known ebony is black ebony, which is yielded by Diospyros ebenum, which is native to southern India and Sri Lanka. Species of Diospyros are the most widely available ebonies. A notable use of ebony is in the black keys of a piano.

Uses

Ebony has a long history of use, with carved pieces having been found in Ancient Egypt. Modern uses are largely restricted to small sizes, particularly in musical instrument making (including piano and harpsichord keys, guitar fingerboards, violin, viola, mandolin, and cello fingerboards, tailpieces, pegs, chinrests, and bow frogs), high quality tool handles, and other specialty uses.

Health Effects

While ebony is not typically associated with health effects, it is important to note that any wood dust can cause respiratory problems if inhaled. Therefore, proper safety measures should be taken when working with ebony or any other type of wood.

See Also

• Wood
• Hardwood
• Diospyros

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