Expert Jian Tan has five laws and five laws and three passes
August 14 10:09:36, 2025
In a small space with a width and height of 255px, positioned on the left with a margin of 15px on all sides, there's a subtle visual pause before diving into the world of red sandalwood.
The price of red sandalwood is as precious as jade, and the market has become flooded with imitations. Expert Jian Tan has established five key principles to distinguish genuine from fake, known as the "Five Laws and Three Passes."
As the old saying goes, "rarity makes value," and this holds true for red sandalwood. The resources were heavily exploited during the late Qing Dynasty, making it extremely rare in today’s market. Most large pieces are remnants from old structures, which only adds to the scarcity. As a result, red sandalwood prices have remained consistently high—so high that it's often said that red sandalwood is worth more than gold. This profitability has attracted many businesses, leading to a surge in counterfeit products.
For example, some unscrupulous sellers use calcium carbonate solutions to dye certain woods black or purple, mimicking the appearance of red sandalwood. Others pass off black rosewood as the real thing, an open secret in the furniture industry. Black rosewood (L. rosewood) closely resembles red sandalwood in weight, color, and texture, making it difficult to tell them apart without proper knowledge.
Some so-called "new red sandalwood" found in Beijing markets is actually Lushi Dalbergia, a common imitation. To help collectors identify authentic red sandalwood, experts have developed five simple yet effective methods:
**First, observe:**
Use your eyes or a 10x magnifying glass, which is easily available. Genuine red sandalwood has a reddish-purple or dark purple heart. Its grain often features light or purple-black streaks. The texture is twisted, resembling a crab claw or cow hair. It also contains red gum and may show sparkling veins, gold spots, or golden silk patterns.
**Second, test by water:**
True red sandalwood sinks immediately when placed in water. It doesn’t fade when soaked. However, if you soak it in wine, it will gradually lose its color.
**Third, smell:**
Genuine red sandalwood emits a delicate fragrance. However, older logs may lose their scent over time.
**Fourth, scratch:**
When scratched on a white wall, real red sandalwood leaves a visible purple mark.
**Fifth, burn:**
Burned, real red sandalwood turns to ash, while fake wood becomes carbon.
By following these steps, collectors can better navigate the complex and sometimes deceptive red sandalwood market.
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