Currently, Xiao Ye Zitan (small-leaf rosewood) only grows in India, where it is regarded as a divine wood. Because of its hard texture, eternal fragrance, colorful and changeable appearance, resistance to all poisons, everlasting durability, and ability to ward off evil, it is also known as Sacred Rosewood. People often use small-leaf rosewood as an amulet for good fortune and safety. The preciousness of Xiao Ye Zitan lies in its scarce resources and long growth cycle, requiring hundreds or even thousands of years to mature. It grows so slowly that it takes over a decade to grow one inch. Moreover, there is a saying about Xiao Ye Zitan: "nine out of ten trees are hollow," "knotted and not straight," and "too thin to be grasped." The diameter of Xiao Ye Zitan wood usually ranges from 10 to 18 cm, with very few pieces exceeding 20 cm and being intact without hollows. Collector Ma Weidu mentioned when discussing Zitan that large pieces of Xiao Ye Zitan are rare; even the panels used in Ming and Qing dynasty imperial furniture were often less than 15 cm wide, and the widest Zitan panel he had seen was within 30 cm.
When freshly cut, the heartwood of Zitan appears orange-red and gradually turns purple-red to dark purple-black, sometimes resembling rhinoceros horn. Its structure is dense, and its grain is interlocked, appearing like twisted silk or straight threads, and irregular crab claw patterns. Its pores are fine and resemble cow hair, hence the folk names "Cow Hair Pattern Zitan" and "Crab Claw Pattern Zitan." Although Zitan does not possess the same flamboyance and boldness as "Hu Li" (rosewood) and "Ji Chi" (African blackwood), it exudes calmness, stability, and internal restraint. Zitan contains abundant Zitanin, which can dissolve in alcohol or ether, making it resistant to decay and highly durable. Its texture is hard, heavy, and fine-grained, with a lustrous surface and a unique aroma.
Zitan has excellent properties and can be used to make exquisite high-end furniture and various crafts. Additionally, during the manufacturing process, the leftover scraps can be soaked to produce medicinal wine with exceptional effects. This wine can detoxify, reduce swelling, inhibit bacteria, and cure chronic conditions such as rheumatism and arthritis. Its stable nature ensures that objects made from it do not easily deform or crack, making it suitable for carving and crafting furniture or artifacts. After prolonged use, Zitan items develop a "patina" texture through friction with sweat and grease.
As the saying goes: rarity makes things valuable. In recent years, jewelry, prayer beads, and other small items made from Xiao Ye Zitan have gained increasing popularity due to their portability, traditional association with good fortune and safety, and the ability to emit a faint, captivating fragrance. Furthermore, its rarity makes it not only an object for appreciation and play but also a valuable investment for economic appreciation. In recent years, Xiao Ye Zitan prayer beads have undoubtedly become the most highly esteemed variety in the prayer bead market.