Sandalwood & agarwood beads
Buy sandalwood and agarwood beads by nose. Real scent is soft and rises with warmth.
Learn the two woods first
Sandalwood is heartwood
The scent sits in the heartwood of Santalum trees. Old Indian wood, called laoshan, is the classic reference. Australian sandalwood smells sharper.
Agarwood starts with a wound
An injured Aquilaria tree fills the damaged wood with dark resin over years. Wild pieces are rare, and most beads sold today are cultivated.
Wear it warm, rest it
Skin heat brings the scent out. Collectors rest the beads in a closed box and say some returns. Keep them from water and perfume.
The scent comes from the wood, and it takes its time.
What to look for
Aquilaria agarwood is CITES-listed, cultivated or wild, and beads generally need permits to cross borders commercially. Ask the seller for the paperwork and check US rules before importing.
Sandalwood & agarwood beads
Hand-picked pieces are on the way.
Good to know
What is the difference between sandalwood and agarwood?
Sandalwood is fragrant heartwood from Santalum trees, with a warm, milky smell. Agarwood is resin-soaked Aquilaria wood, darker and deeper, formed only after a tree is wounded.
How long do sandalwood beads keep their scent?
They can keep it for years. Scent fades with wear and skin oils, and collectors say resting the beads in a sealed box brings some back.
Is red sandalwood the same as sandalwood?
No. Red sandalwood beads, called zitan, come from Pterocarpus trees and are prized for dense dark wood rather than scent. True sandalwood is a different tree.
