Chess Set Wood

Our Chess Set Woods

All of our wood chess sets are made in India which is also where the wood comes from. The type of wood or woods a chess set is made from is usually the biggest factor in the price of a chess set. Wood, being a natural product, can vary in color and character. The chess sets used for our photographs were chosen at random and represent the color and grain structure within the normal range of what you can expect.

Red Sandal Wood

Red Sandal Wood (adenanthera pavonina), also commonly referred to as bud rosewood by many chess stores, is no doubt the most beautiful and colorful wood used for making chess sets. Red sandal wood will range in color from a coral-orange color to a deep burgundy-red, and every shade in between. Red sandal wood is used medicinally in India and Asia as well as for a variety of crafted items such as cabinets, flooring, carvings and furniture. Red sandal wood is becoming more and more rare and there are restrictions in the harvest and export of this wood. Limited supply and restrictions makes for an ever increasing price.

Ebony

Ebony or East Indian Ebony (diospyros melanoxylon) is the pure black wood that has been traditionally used for making chess sets. Ebony will range from pure black to what is often referred to as striped ebony. Striped ebony has brown irregular stripes creating unique patterns similar to that of zebra or tiger stripes. Ebony is one of the few woods that is so dense and heavy that it will sink in water. Carving ebony is like trying to carve a rock. It's extremely hard making it a difficult to carve but it polishes to a beautiful luster for making traditional black chess pieces.

Rosewood

Rosewood or Indian rosewood (dalbergia latifoliahas) is very hard and colorful with colors ranging from a dark burgundy to an orange-brown. The grain can vary considerably creating a beautiful blend of colors and unique patterns. The beautiful colors and moderate price makes rosewood the most popular wood used for chess sets today.

Sheesham Wood

Sheesham wood, as it is commonly spelled, is correctly spelled Shisham (dabergia sissoo). Also known as Sissoo, it is also referred to as golden rosewood by some chess stores. Colors range from a dark brown similar to American black walnut to a lighter golden brown color. Sheesham wood is a very common wood in India that is used for furniture and various wooden crafts. Sheesham wood is inexpensive, relatively easy to carve, and turns well. This makes it a popular wood for inexpensive chess sets.

Boxwood

Boxwood or West Indian boxwood (gossypiospermum praecox) is the wood most often used for making the white pieces. Boxwood generally has very little visible grain and ranges in color from a light cream to a light amber color. It's a very hard wood but has good carving and turning characteristics ideal for making chess sets. 

Ebonized Boxwood

Ebonized boxwood is simply boxwood that is stained with a deep penetrating black stain. This gives the boxwood the appearance of ebony at less than half the price. Boxwood readily accepts the stain and leaves no visible sign of the grain. Ebonized boxwood does not polish to the same luster that can be achieved on real ebony.

Painted & Lacquered Chess Sets