Ebony

Ebony is the very dense heartwood of tropical trees of the genus Diospyros, commonly found in India and Sri Lanka. Ebony is very dark brown to black in colour, the best quality is very heavy and nearly black. It is very hard and can be polished to a mirror finish; it is frequently used for cabinet work, inlaying, piano keys and knife handles. It was believed to react against poison, and for this reason was often used to make drinking cups.