What Are the Most Prized Types of Wood?
While woods like oak, maple, walnut, and cherry are well-known, have you heard of Lignum Vitae or bocote? Exotic and rare woods often boast extraordinary features such as unique grain patterns, exceptional durability, and captivating color shifts. Though challenging to work with, their unparalleled beauty makes the effort and expense worthwhile. Below, we explore ten of the world’s most expensive woods—each with its own story of rarity, beauty, and craftsmanship.
African Blackwood
African blackwood (Dalbergia melanoxylon) is one of the most expensive woods globally, sourced from a slow-growing, near-threatened tree native to the dry savannas of Central and Southern Africa. Typically reaching only 25 feet in height with a narrow trunk rarely exceeding one foot in diameter, it yields limited quantities of usable lumber.
With a remarkable Janka hardness rating of 4,050 lbf, this jet-black to deep purple wood is exceptionally difficult to work with and dulls cutting tools quickly. It offers strong resistance to decay and warping but only moderate insect resistance. African blackwood is highly valued in the manufacture of musical instruments, such as guitars.
Sandalwood
Sandalwood (Santalum spp.) is renowned for its rich, enduring fragrance, which makes it a popular choice for perfumes, incense, and personal care products. The oil is extracted via steam distillation, while the fine-grained, pale yellow wood is used in decorative carvings, boxes, and small furniture items.
Overharvesting has drastically reduced sandalwood populations, elevating its cost. With a Janka hardness of only 1,690 lbf, it is not prized for durability but for its scent. Sandalwood trees—which grow parasitically on other trees—reach about 33 feet tall and are native to Southeast Asia and the South Pacific. Commercial cultivation in Australia is helping mitigate shortages.
Agarwood
Agarwood is derived from Aquilaria malaccensis trees found in Southeast Asian tropical forests. Its formation requires a rare fungal infection (Phialophora parasitica) that triggers the production of a dark, aromatic resin. Only an estimated 7% of these trees produce agarwood, and all are critically endangered.
The wood is meticulously separated and harvested in small chips. Its deep, complex aroma earns it the name “Wood of the Gods,” and it is central to incense, oils, and religious ceremonies across cultures.
Lignum Vitae
Known as ironwood, Lignum Vitae is the national tree of the Bahamas and nearly extinct in the wild. It grows very slowly and contains naturally high oil content. With a Janka hardness of 4,500 lbf, it is the hardest commercially traded wood.
Historically used in bowling balls, ship bearings, and tool handles, its endangered status now limits availability and compels the use of alternatives.
Pink Ivory
This strikingly colored wood ranges from pinkish-brown to deep maroon and is native to Southern Africa. With a Janka rating of 3,230 lbf and a fine, sometimes interlocked grain, it is both strong and decay-resistant.
Its vibrant hue and natural luster make it ideal for luxury items like knife handles, billiard cues, and carved furniture. However, it is prone to tearout during planing.
Bubinga
Also called African Rosewood, bubinga ranges from purple and red to pinkish-red. Sourced from large trees (up to five feet in diameter), it often appears in wide planks or tabletops. Its grain varies widely, including waterfall, quilted, and pommele patterns.
With a Janka hardness of 2,410 lbf, bubinga can dull tools but is prized for its beauty. It is used in furniture and inlays, though it is susceptible to beetles and challenging to treat with preservatives.
Purpleheart
Purpleheart (Peltogyne purpurea) is known for its vivid color, which deepens from gray-brown to purple upon UV exposure. Found in Central and South American rainforests, the trees can grow up to 170 feet tall.
Rated at 2,520 lbf, this stiff and durable wood is ideal for flooring, boats, and furniture. When worked, it may exude a gummy resin that can damage tools, adding to its cost.
Ebony
Ebony refers to several species of Diospyros trees producing dense, dark wood. Many are extinct or endangered due to overharvesting. Pure black ebony—the most valuable—comes only from trees over 150 years old.
Extremely hard and finely grained, ebony is typically used in small inlays and accents rather than full furniture pieces due to its rarity.
Bocote
Bocote, native to Central and South America, offers a golden-brown color that darkens over time and varied grain patterns from straight to wild swirls. With a Janka hardness of 2,010 lbf, it is both durable and surprisingly workable.
It is commonly used in furniture, flooring, cabinetry, and decorative items like knife handles and pens. It finishes to a high gloss.
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian rosewood (Dalbergia nigra) displays colors from purple and red to dark brown, often with spider-web grain patterns. It is durable, rot-resistant, and has a Janka hardness of 2,790 lbf.
Although it dulls tools slightly, it is generally easy to work with. Valued in instrument-making and fine furniture, it is now protected and highly regulated.
Caring for Rare Woods
Investing in rare woods requires dedicated maintenance to preserve their beauty and value. Keep them out of direct sunlight to prevent fading, clean surfaces with a soft damp cloth, and use appropriate sealers for outdoor pieces. Professional restoration services can help maintain luster and structural integrity over time.
Is Teak an Expensive Wood?
Teak is a high-value hardwood known for its durability, weather resistance, and golden-brown hue. While not as rare as some exotic woods, it remains a premium material for outdoor furniture, decking, and marine applications. Its natural oils resist rot and insects, but without maintenance, it weathers to a silvery gray. Proper care preserves its beauty and value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are some woods so expensive?
Rarity, slow growth, protected status, and challenging processing contribute to high costs. Unique aesthetic qualities like color, fragrance, or figure also drive demand.
How can I source exotic woods responsibly?
Choose suppliers who provide documentation, comply with CITES and local laws, and offer reclaimed or sustainably grown options. Always verify legality for protected species.
What’s the best way to maintain color and grain?
Limit UV exposure, clean gently, and apply suitable finishes. Periodic professional care is recommended for outdoor pieces.
Do natural oils eliminate the need for finish?
No. Oils help resist moisture and pests but do not prevent UV damage or wear. Regular cleaning and protective coatings are still advised.