What grade of wood does Ovengkol fall into?

In the timber market, the grade of Ovengkol isn't set in stone. We need to take a comprehensive look at its core features and how it performs in the market. Specifically, there are three main aspects to consider: how scarce it is, what its material properties are like, and its market value and uses. 

Speaking of scarcity, the real deal ebony that meets industry standards is the ebony from Sulawesi. It's listed in the "ebony" category of the "National Redwood Standards". Its origin is really limited (mostly found on Sulawesi Island in Indonesia). And because of years of harvesting, the wild resources are in danger. Right now, it's strictly regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. There's very little of it available in the market. This scarcity makes it a high-end wood in the industry. It's a valuable wood because it's so hard to come by. 

The material properties are the key to figuring out the grade of Ovengkol. Take the Sulu ebony for example. Its air-dry density is as high as 1.03 - 1.20 g/cm³. It's hard, wears well, and resists corrosion. Also, its moisture content is stable, so it doesn't deform easily. After it's processed, the surface looks smooth and shiny. Whether it's for high-class furniture or art pieces, it can meet both practical needs and look great. Even some of the better-quality "Ovengkol" in a general sense (like East African black rosewood), although it's not as tough or stable, still has a high density and nice texture. Overall, it's much better than regular hardwood, so it can still be considered medium to high-end wood. 

When it comes to market value and uses, the differences in ebony grades are pretty obvious. The real Ovengkol, because it's scarce and top-notch in quality, can cost tens of thousands of yuan per ton. It's mainly used for collectible furniture, rare art pieces, or parts of luxury items. It's useful and a good investment, so it's a high-end collectible wood. The better-quality general ebony usually costs a few tens of thousands of yuan per ton. It's often used for solid wood furniture, parts of musical instruments, or for detailed carvings. It's a medium to high-end practical wood. But some of the dark-colored woods on the market called "Ovengkol" are actually not that great. They're soft and not very stable. They're usually used for cheap furniture or as basic materials for decoration. They only cost a few thousand yuan per ton. They're just ordinary hardwoods and don't have the quality or grade of real ebony. 

Overall, ebony is generally considered mid to high-end or even top-tier wood. But to figure out its exact grade, we need to think about how rare the tree is, the quality of the wood, and where it's actually used. 

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