How to identify agarwood
As a precious spice and medicinal material, agarwood has been highly valued since ancient times. However, there is a mixture of real and fake agarwood on the market, and how to identify the authenticity of agarwood has become a concern for many consumers. This article will combine the hot topics and hot content on the Internet in the past 10 days to introduce you to the identification method of agarwood in detail and provide structured data for reference.
1. Basic characteristics of agarwood

Agarwood is a spice produced by the agarwood or agarwood trees of the Daphneaceae family, which secrete resin and precipitate over many years after being damaged by natural damage or artificial destruction. Real agarwood has the following characteristics:
| Features | Description |
|---|---|
| color | Mostly dark brown or black brown, with clear oil lines |
| texture | The oil line is natural and smooth, with no sense of irregularity. |
| weight | Larger density, with a pressing feel |
| Aroma | Quiet and elegant, you won’t get tired of hearing it for a long time |
2. How to identify agarwood
1.observation method: Observe the texture, color and oil line distribution of agarwood with the naked eye. Real agarwood oil has natural lines and does not present overly regular patterns.
2.Smell method: The aroma of real agarwood is subtle and may not be obvious at first smell, but it will gradually dissipate as the temperature rises, and the aroma is long-lasting. Fake agarwood is often added with artificial flavors and has a pungent smell.
3.touch method: The surface of real agarwood is smooth and delicate, rich in oil, and has a slightly greasy feeling when touched. Fake agarwood may be too dry or harsh.
4.combustion method: After lighting agarwood, the smoke of real agarwood rises in a straight line and has a pure aroma; the smoke of fake agarwood is pungent and may have a chemical smell.
| Identification method | Characteristics of true agarwood | Fake agarwood characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| observation method | The oil lines are natural and the texture is clear | Oil lines are regular, texture is dull |
| Smell method | Refreshing and long-lasting aroma | The smell is pungent or too strong |
| touch method | Smooth surface with greasy feel | dry or rough |
| combustion method | Straight smoke and pure aroma | Pungent smell of smoke |
3. Origin and grade of agarwood
The origin and grade of agarwood directly affect its quality and value. The following are the main origins and grade divisions:
| Origin | Features | Represent level |
|---|---|---|
| Hainan, China | Sweet aroma, rich in oil | Special grade, first grade |
| vietnam | Rich aroma and high quality | Qinnan, red soil |
| Indonesia | Large output, varying quality | Kalimantan, Dalakan |
| malaysia | The aroma is sweet and the oil is medium. | Star system |
4. Common fraud techniques and identification
1.Agarwood soaked in oil: Soak ordinary wood in agarwood essential oil. The surface will look oily, but the inside will be dry. It can be identified by cutting it open to see if it is dry inside.
2.Pressed oil agarwood: Oil is injected into the wood through high pressure, and the oil line distribution is unnatural. It can be judged by observing whether the oil line is regular.
3.Artificial flavors added: Use chemical fragrance to simulate the smell of agarwood. It can be identified by smelling the aroma. Real agarwood has a natural aroma, while fake agarwood has a pungent smell.
| Counterfeiting techniques | Identification method |
|---|---|
| Agarwood soaked in oil | Cut it open to see if it is dry inside |
| Pressed oil agarwood | Observe whether the oil line is regular |
| Artificial flavors added | Does the scent smell natural? |
5. Purchase suggestions
1. Choose a reputable merchant and ask for a formal appraisal certificate.
2. Novices are advised to start with small pieces and gain experience before purchasing high-priced agarwood.
3. Compare agarwood from different origins to cultivate olfactory memory.
4. Pay attention to the storage environment to avoid deterioration of agarwood caused by high temperature and humidity.
Through the above methods, you can better identify the authenticity of agarwood and avoid buying counterfeit products. Remember, real agarwood is a gift from nature. Its value lies not only in money, but also in its unique charm and cultural heritage.
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