Since Zambian rosewood has come into the public spotlight, there have been various opinions about it. Some refer to it as "Li Gui," while others dismiss it as just a fleeting trend in the sandalwood market. However, regardless of the ambiguity, no one can deny that Zambian rosewood is a genuine and valuable material.
The Institute of Wood Science at Nanjing Forestry University has tested samples of Zambian red sandalwood and found an air-dry density of 112 g/cm³, with an average pore diameter of 145 μm. It is the only wood, aside from Indian rosewood, that meets the national standard GB/T 18107-2000 for "redwood." This standard requires a dry density over 1.00 g/cm³ and a maximum pore diameter of 160 μm.
Despite its potential, there are still many unknowns regarding Zambian rosewood. Some pieces are oily, while others are less so than Indian rosewood. Some even have a density below 1.0, meaning they don’t sink in water. Therefore, it’s not advisable to judge a piece of wood based on a single sample. In general, the better parts of Zambian rosewood are comparable to Indian rosewood, and the overall quality surpasses that of big leaf rosewood.
In the industry, people often classify Zambian red sandalwood into oil-rich, non-oil, floating, and non-floating types. Some believe these differences are real, while others think they’re just myths or even gender-related. Others suggest it's due to environmental factors like sunlight. There is no consensus, and no official conclusion has been reached yet. However, many developers are now focusing on improving material consistency by screening the cutting and shipping processes.
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**There Is No Right or Wrong, Only People Have Good and Evil**
Before the second half of 2013, Zambian rosewood was often sold as a substitute for Indian rosewood, which severely damaged its reputation. The term "Li Gui" became associated with deception, making it the most controversial part of Zambian red sandalwood. Many people developed a natural distrust and rejection toward it.
However, the issue isn't with the wood itself. It's with those who misrepresent it as something it's not. Wood is just wood, and distinguishing between Zambian and Indian rosewood is not easy. The problem lies with individuals lacking commercial ethics who pretend to be something they are not. It's not the wood that's wrong—it's the people behind the deception.
That said, there are also many manufacturers who produce and sell furniture under the correct name of Zambian rosewood. Due to its high price range—originally between 50,000 to 100,000 RMB—only a few manufacturers were involved, and the production volumes were small. As a result, Zambian rosewood furniture was rare in the market, especially among the general public.
After the price of Zambian rosewood dropped from over 30,000 RMB this year, some manufacturers began purchasing in bulk. With a four-month production cycle, a new batch of Zambian rosewood furniture is expected to hit the market soon. This means that the mahogany furniture market is finally becoming more accessible to consumers.
**Let Red Sandalwood Culture Enter a New Choice for the Public**
Redwood is more than just wood—it’s furniture, craftsmanship, history, and culture. The legacy of Indian rosewood remains unmatched and cannot be replaced by any emerging wood. Anyone familiar with redwood would agree.
When we talk about red sandalwood, we must mention the national standard for mahogany. Among the 33 types of wood listed in the standard, eight are named as "red sandalwood." But only Indian rosewood (also known as sandalwood rosewood) meets the criteria of having a dry density above 1.00 g/cm³ and an average pore diameter not exceeding 160 μm. The other seven types fall short of this standard.
Zambian rosewood has seen a price correction this year, aligning it more closely with the broader redwood market. While some merchants are unhappy, this adjustment is ultimately positive in the long run. It allows more manufacturers and consumers to engage with the wood, understand its value, and eventually appreciate it.
As an emerging rosewood species, Zambian rosewood may lack historical depth, but it offers an opportunity for more people to own a set of rosewood furniture at a reasonable price. This access can help spread the culture of "Purple Qidong" and bring it closer to the public. That, in itself, is its greatest value.
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