Some woods are muchly coveted for their hardness, some for their resistance, and others for their esthetics.
The woods we’ll talk about meet all the above characteristics: they are strong, resistant, and have very attractive designs from an aesthetic point of view. The problem is that they are scarce (some are even in danger of extinction) and difficult to extract, transport and export.
So here is a list of some of the most exceptional woods in the world and we’ll tell you how much they can cost.
The most expensive wood on earth
The following top is based on the commercial price, the difficulty of extraction, and the intrinsic properties of the wood.
9. Holly wood or American Holly (Ilex opaque)
You may come across descriptions of this wood as “the whitest wood of all”, and this is partially true as it is in fact very light wood that is neither hard nor durable and has a very low resistance to insect attack.
In addition, it often has lots of knots, making it difficult to work for large pieces.
Distribution
This species is native to the whole eastern region of the United States.
Color
It is a very uniform light whitish-colored wood, but if it is not dried properly, it often develops blue-grayish stains caused by fungi.
Uses
- Joinery.
- Production of piano keys due to their whiteness, although the pieces are also dyed to make black keys when Ebony wood is not available.
- Broomsticks.
- Brushes and brush handle.
Conservation status
The American Holly is not threatened. However, the tree is slow-growing, which reduces its availability.
As a result, traders raise the price considerably.
Price
Up to 35 USD (US dollars) per 1 board foot, which is a unit of volume measurement used to measure lumber in the United States and Canada.
8. Koa wood or Hawaiian Koa (Acacia Koa)
Koa wood is especially valued because it is one of the few native species used naturally on the island; wood from other parts of the United States is usually used in Hawaii.
This happens because the settlers who came to the island decades ago did not know how to work with the native species and preferred to plant others that they already knew or simply imported them, relegating native species to a second place.
Distribution
This species is native to Hawaii; in fact, it is the most common species and according to experts it is the most beautiful of the archipelago.
Color
Like Cocobolo wood (in the next position), Koa can vary greatly in color but is usually golden and has reddish and brownish hues; it is very much like Mahogany wood in appearance.
Uses
- Elaboration of decorative veneers.
- Manufacture of Guitars and Ukuleles.
- Manufacture of frames or bodies for firearms.
- Carving.
- Construction of canoes.
Conservation status
Although this species is not on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, a significant decrease in the number of natural specimens has been documented due to the increase in agricultural crops where forests are usually cut down.
In addition, the increase in livestock grazing has only increased the problem of logging because the animals eat the tree bark, preventing the species from growing until reaching maturity, which means that timber cannot be harvested.
Price
62 USD per board foot.
7. Cocobolo wood, Cocabola (Dalbergia retusa)
This wood is highly valued for its color, hardness, and durability. However, it is known to be difficult to work, particularly because its gluing is not easy due to the high concentration of oils in this wood.
Distribution
Cocobolo wood is native to Central America.
Color
It has a variety of shades ranging from yellow, orange, violet, and red to dark brown (almost) black. Cocobolo has a very marked design composed of very dark black or brown lines distributed in an irregular manner over the surface of the wood. It tends to darken over time.
Uses
- Luxury joinery.
- Elaboration of musical instruments.
- Handicrafts.
- Lathing.
Conservation status
Critically endangered species according to the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), meaning that between 80% and 90% of their population has been lost in the last decade.
It is therefore difficult to find as it is a protected species.
However, in many cases, indiscriminate hunting by smugglers is largely responsible for the near extinction of the species.
Price
In legal portals on the internet, you can find prices from 9 USD for a pound of Cocobolo or between 50 and 65 USD per board foot.
6. Ziricota wood (Cordia dodecandra)
Distribution
Native to Central America, it is found abundantly in southern Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize.
Ziricota wood is very resistant to humidity, fungi, and insects.
Also, ziricota wood is appreciated for its extraordinary appearance, which guarantees its originality when purchasing it; it is impossible to replicate its natural design.
Color
This wood ranges from dark brown to green or purple with a pattern of black lines that blend together.
In fact, some call its pattern a spider web pattern (vetoed).
Uses
- Musical instrument making (electric and acoustic guitars).
- Luxury joinery.
- Decorative veneers.
- Lathing.
- Frames and gun butts.
Conservation status
Ziricota is not an endangered species but it is rare, that is to say, it is not traded much. This may be because its habitat is not easily accessible for industrial equipment and therefore it is not distributed en masse, which would lower prices.
It is in fact the opposite, as there is a high demand and low availability, its prices have only increased over time.
Price
70 USD per pound.
5. Sandalwood (Santalum album)
This wood is considered a true luxury wood (noble wood) both for its quality and for the many applications it has in the world of cosmetics, traditional medicine, and perfumery.
Still, this tree is sacred in the Hindu religion and is therefore protected and its commercialization is strictly controlled.
This still doesn’t stop illegal traffickers from cutting down specimens to sell them on the black market.
Distribution
Sandalwood is native to India, although large-scale production has begun in recent decades in countries such as Australia.
To be honest, however, the opinion of connoisseurs is that Indian Sandalwood is of much better quality and therefore its price and demand are higher.
Color
It is predominantly yellow with some light brown tinge.
Uses
- Luxury woodwork.
- Carving.
- Obtaining oils for perfumery and cosmetics.
- Elaboration of incense.
- Traditional medicine.
Conservation status
Vulnerable according to the IUCN, meaning that, if the rate of logging continues, in a few years it will be in danger of extinction.
Price
100 USD per pound.
4. Pink Ivory Wood (Berchemia zeyheri)
The information available on this species of Pink Ivory is sometimes contradictory, as some reports suggest that this species is extremely rare, even “rarer than diamonds”.
On the other hand, other reports say that it is rather common, especially in the territory of South Africa.
What is certain is that whatever the case, this wood is scarce and its price is quite high.
Pink Ivory is a hardwood very resistant to attack by fungi, insects, and humidity.
Distribution
This tree grows naturally in the southern part of the African continent, more precisely in countries such as Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana, and South Africa.
Color
The coloration of this wood ranges from pink to magenta.
In fact, the more intense its color, the higher its commercial value.
Uses
- Carving.
- Elaboration of decorative veneers.
- Knife handles.
- Billiard cues.
- Manufacture of chess pieces.
Conservation status
The species is not on the IUCN red list of environmental risks.
Price
150 USD per pound.
3. African Ebony wood or Gabon Ebony (Diospyros crassiflora)
African Ebony wood is known for its high hardness and high density.
Keep in mind that the word Ebony conveys several kinds of wood of which African or Gabonese Ebony is the rarest.
Distribution
This wood is native to the entire equatorial African region. However, Cameroon is currently the leading exporter of this wood.
In fact, the name Gabonese Ebony comes from the fact that in the past, Gabon was the main exporter, which has now changed.
Color
African Ebony wood is very dark; completely black, although at times there may be dark brown lines across its surface.
It is also the darkest of the Diospyros genus.
Uses
- Musical instrument making (violin pegs, cellos, violas, etc.).
- Carving.
- Piano keys.
- Elaboration of canes.
- Manufacture of billiard cues.
Conservation status
This is a threatened species according to the IUCN; at any moment it will be declared as an endangered species because, in spite of the efforts that have been made, illegal hunting and deforestation for agricultural crops are increasing.
So we have that this wood is very scarce but the demand has only increased.
Price
100 USD per board foot or 10000 USD per kilo.
2. Brazilian Blackwood or Indian Rosewood (Dalbergia nigra)
This wood is very desirable for its versatility as it has many applications.
This is because it is easy to work with and is very resistant to humidity, insects, and fungi.
In addition, it has a characteristic smell of roses at the time of felling that often lasts longer.
Distribution
This wood is native to the jungles of the southeastern region of Brazil.
Color
It can vary from dark brown to a reddish-brown color.
It also has a design of black crisscrossing lines that give a spider web-like appearance very similar to the pattern seen in Ziricota wood.
Uses
- Decorative veneers.
- Luxury joinery.
- Drawer and cabinet making.
- Manufacture of musical instruments.
- Lathing.
Conservation status
The species Dalbergia nigra has the highest international trade restriction, that is, it is listed in appendix I of the CITES convention (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) of the IUCN.
This means that all international trade of Brazilian rosewood is prohibited, regardless if the wood is raw or finished.
That is because of the indiscriminate logging of the species and the deterioration of its natural habitat due to the increase of land used for agriculture and cattle ranching.
Therefore, you can technically only acquire this wood on the black market, which is unacceptable from every point of view.
But even if you could get it legally, the price would be exorbitantly high.
Price
320 USD per pound.
1. African Blackwood or Granadillo wood (Dalbergia melanoxylon)
Considered to be the true ebony.
However, it should be clarified that both African Ebony and Granadillo, although similar in appearance and quality, are of different species.
African Granadillo is one of the woods with the greatest natural resistance since it resists the passage of time, humidity, insects, and fungi attacks very well without any type of treatment.
However, it can be affected by some beetles. In addition, due to its extraordinary hardness and density, it is very difficult to handle. In fact, some people would say that working with African Granadillo is almost like working with metal.
Distribution
African Granadillo wood is native to the dry savannahs and the southern part of the African continent.
Color
The heartwood, which is the wood itself, is often colored, although it can sometimes be a little lighter (very dark brown). The sapwood, the more immature and therefore lower quality wood, is pale yellow in color and is easily distinguished from the heartwood.
Uses
- Luxury joinery.
- Manufacture of musical instruments.
- Carving.
- Handles for tools.
Conservation status
According to the IUCN, it is a species listed in appendix II of CITES and is considered a species that is near threatened due to the loss of its natural habitat and indiscriminate logging.
Price
This wood is undoubtedly the most expensive on the planet as a cubic meter can cost 13,000 USD.
This is because its availability is very low due to the slow growth of the tree, so the supply can never meet the demand.
Final notes
As you may have noticed, we do not always use the same measure to report prices.
Sometimes it is table foot, other times, the price is reported per pound or per kilo, and this is because getting prices on the internet is not reliable and will only serve as a guide.
Also, many times distributors do not list their prices out of fear of commercial purposes and to prevent competitors from matching their prices.
Keep in mind that the final price is influenced by many factors, for example:
- If the tree is environmentally protected (IUCN-CITES).
- The difficulty of its felling, i.e. if it is done by hand (more expensive) or industrially.
- Transportation costs.
- Export costs.
- Availability of the species, etc.