Amboyna burl

Amboyna burl is widely considered one of the rarest, most expensive, and most beautiful wood burls in the world. It is not a specific species of tree, but rather the highly figured growth (burl) found on trees in the Pterocarpus genus—most commonly the Narra tree (Pterocarpus indicus).

Key Characteristics

• Appearance: It is famous for its deep, rich colors, ranging from golden-orange to a blood-red heartwood, often contrasted with a pale yellow sapwood. The grain is incredibly intricate, featuring tight “bird’s-eye” swirls, knots, and a “bubbly” figure that looks almost three-dimensional when polished.
• Origin: It is native to Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Its name is derived from Ambon Island in Indonesia, a historic hub for exporting this prized wood.
• Scent: When worked, the wood releases a distinct, pleasant fragrance similar to cedar or rose.
• Workability: Despite being a dense and heavy hardwood, it is prized by woodworkers because it finishes to a high, glass-like luster.

Common Uses

Because of its extreme scarcity and high cost, it is rarely used as solid lumber. Instead, it is typically used for:
• Luxury Interiors: It was famously the first burl used for Rolls-Royce dashboards and is still found in high-end private jets and yachts.
• Fine Accents: High-end knife handles, custom pool cues, fountain pens, and jewelry boxes.
• Musical Instruments: Often used as a decorative “top” for boutique electric guitars.
• Boutique “Artisan” Slabs: On platforms like Esty^TM and eBay^TM, individual slabs with high figure and natural edges are currently listed between $850 and $1,150.
• Premium Collector Grade: Large, “two-tone” (red heartwood and cream sapwood) slabs with consistent “bird’s eye” or “bubbly” grain can command $1,500 to $2,000+.
• Fun Fact: Amboyna burl shavings have a unique chemical property—if you drop them into water, they will often turn the water a fluorescent blue under certain lighting.