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Ebony – Amara

Diospyros celebica
Also known as |
Amara|Amara Ebony|Pink Ebony|Red Ebony

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Ebony - Amara Lumber @ Rarewoods SA

According to the only sources we could find willing to step up to the plate on this wood, Amara Ebony and Macassar Ebony are of the exact same species (Diospyros Celebica), with the difference put forth being that Amara is exclusive to Indonesia. Amara is known for its deep chocolate browns with pink striping; the difference in its coloration and that of typical Macassar Ebony being attributed to the soil conditions in Indonesia. Its grains are more likely to be wavy or irregular than straight, with a fine texture and nice natural luster.

Our experience yields a broader perspective, as we have found the wood sometimes with greens and reds, more similar to Malaysian Blackwood, at times with darker and more muted hues¬† and devoid of any pink shades. Pieces which more resemble Macassar have also contained gold – orange hues, in addition to pinks. It’s sap content is tan in color and, despite its density, it has good working properties.

This species is not listed in the CITES Appendices. The IUCN Red List does not even acknowledge this wood by name, although they have categorized Macassar Ebony as “Vulnerable.”

Why We Love This Wood

A number of examples feature "landscape" grain patterns, giving credence to the school of thought that perhaps the wood is some sort of Malaysian Blackwood-Macassar Ebony hybrid, or is at least worthy of its own species designation. While the wood is quite substantial, we found its density to be slightly less than that of Macassar Ebony and Malaysian Blackwood. This is a very unique exotic wood, and a species rarely seen in the US.

    Quick Look

    Ebony - Amara Lumber @ Rarewoods SA
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    Vital Statistics

    Main Color GroupVariegated
    Grain Pattern Pronounced
    Avg Dry Weight - LB/FT370
    Avg Dry Weight - KG/M31120
    Janka Hardness - LBF3220
    Janka Hardness - N14140

    A Popular Choice in

    PRICING

    Browse all available species online below.
    Custom orders are also welcome. See pricelist for indicative pricing.
    For a more detailed quote, click enquire and be sure to include as much information as possible (I.e. grade, thickness, length, width, volume etc.)

    Other Species

    Chestnut - European

    Durable and relatively affordable, European Chestnut is a popular cladding species in Europe.  With looks similar to Oak and Ash, we are sure you will love the appearance of Sweet Chestnut.  Grain can be interlocked, but Chestnut is still relatively easy to work.  It can split relatively easily, so pre-drilling is essential.

    This is a new species for us here at Rare Woods and a first for South Africa.  We are delighted with what arrived and can’t wait to get it into some of your projects.

    Detail
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    Common Uses
    chestnut-european
    Birch Plywood

    Available in a range of thicknesses and grades, Birch Plywood is a wonderful, high-end board product used in the production of cabinets, furniture and more. With a consistent layer thicknesses, a thick veneer face and all voids patched, Birch Plywood is visually appealing on face grain and end grain, structurally sound and stable in use (indoor application only).

    Our Birch Plywood comes from Eastern Europe and we stock both S/BB and BB/BB grades with thicknesses ranging from 6.5mm to 21mm in standard sheet dimensions of 2.45mx1.22m

    Grade Summary:
    S/BB:  Better face  clear – may have occasional patch.  Second face is BB grade.

    BB/BB: both faces are grade BB.  Can be up to 29 patches, a side, but typically 3-6 patches a side.

     

    Common Uses:
    boxes, cabinetry, carpentry, construction
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    Common Uses
    birch-plywood
    Longhi

    Longhi is an African wood with similar working properties to its more well-known cousin, Anegre. Its color varies from a greyish-white to beige to pinkish-brown color, which slightly darkens with age and UV-ray exposure. Its generally light appearance makes sapwood difficult to distinguish. Its grains are typical straight (though occasionally interlocked) and its texture ranges between fine and medium-fine. It can sometimes possess mottled or subtle tiger-striped figuring.

    The wood must be carefully dried, as it is susceptible to fungus. It is considered to be moderately durable, and moderately stable. Longhi has a solid strength-to-weight ratio, which makes it a popular choice for flooring and decking.

    Common Uses:
    cabinetry, decking, flooring, furniture
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    Common Uses
    longhi
    Birch - Flame Roasted

    “Roasting” Flame Birch involves gradually heating the wood up to temperatures of greater than 160 degrees celcius in special heat chambers made of stainless steel under anoxic conditions. The heat removes organic compounds from the wood cells, changing both the physical and chemical make-up of the wood. The process is natural and chemical free. It darkens the wood to a beautiful rich chocolatey brown color whilst still showing the gorgeous grain and figure of the underlying wood.

    The thermally modified wood is more dimensionally stable, but the process does reduce bending strength and make the wood a little more brittle. This makes it chip a little easier than the un-modified lumber. The brittleness makes it less suitable for intricate cabinetry, but it is still an excellent choice for less intricate items such as floors, tops, panels, cladding etc.

    Extra care needs to be taken when finishing thermally modified wood, as the “bone dry” wood has a tendency to “suck in” much of what is given to it. Our in-house woodworking specialist has had excellent results with Osmo PolyX. He suggests a thicker finish will work better.

    Common Uses:
    flooring, interior panelling
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    Common Uses
    birch-flame-roasted
    Melunak

    This Malaysian species is a medium weight timber suitable for light structural purposes. It is a popular joinery timber and it machines easily and finishes well.

    Common Uses:
    furniture, joinery
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    Common Uses
    melunak
    Anegre

    Indigenous to the tropical regions of East Africa and West Africa, as far south as Angola.¬† Anegre has been used primarily as an interior wood; it is decidedly non-durable, and thus not recommended for outdoor applications. The wood’s aesthetics can vary greatly, as Anegre is comprised of three separate species within the Pouteria genus. Its colors can range from pale yellowish to orangish-brown wood, to a pale pinkish-brown, sometimes with additional highlight coloration. Anegre typically darkens to a golden-to reddish brown over time, with repeated UV ray exposure. The heartwood and sapwood of Anegre are usually not distinguishable from each other.

    Anegre has a medium texture with closed pores similar to Maple.  The species is easy to work with both hand and power tools.
    Examples can be quite beautiful — and sometimes stunning, with curly and mottled figuring being not uncommon. Its hues tend to be generally pastel in nature, so it makes a very complimentary, aesthetically unimposing wood for a variety of interior applications. Grains are typically straight but can occasionally be interlocked. Its texture is medium and it has a nice natural luster.

    Common Uses:
    boatbuilding, cabinetry, carpentry, construction, veneer
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    Common Uses
    anegre
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      Volume Primer

      Our bulk packs are sold in units of volume. (1 pack = 0.1m3).
      Depending on thickness and length you select, you will get a different effective total width. Depending on the widths we select, you will also get a different number of pcs.

      For example, 0.1m3 of 2.45m lengths will get you the following +- TOTAL WIDTH and +- PCS (assuming an average piece width of 140mm) for each thickness:

      M3LENGTHTHICKNESSTOTAL WIDTH+- PCS
      0.12.4526mm1570mm9-12
      0.12.4538mm1075mm6-9
      0.12.4550mm816mm4-7

      Pricing Enquiry

      Quote Request - Species