Chess Set Pricing for Metal and Wood Chess Sets
With the number of chess sets that can be chosen, becoming overwhelmed is not all that difficult, especially with the pricing. Here, we will discuss one such point, the choice of wood that is used to make the chess set. Such factors as size of the chess pieces, the length of the chess board, or thickness still influence the price. This article focuses on the relative differences when all such things are held equal.
The first thing that will dictate the price of the chess set is choice of the materials that are used in its production. The most popular options include Metal and Wood. Additionally there are several woods that are available and each will influence the price of the chess set.
Metal chess pieces are most often times the more expensive option, while wood chess pieces are more economical, in some cases extraordinarily so. Metal chess pieces are more expensive because extra equipment to manufacture the pieces is needed. The hardness and working methods of the metals that are used will force replacement of equipment due to wear faster than wood. Additionally, mining the ore needed for metal is usually more expensive than that of obtaining wood.
With wood chess sets, there lies large price variation in pricing amongst the possible woods. Sheesham wood, Rosewood and Ebony are the three most popular choices for chess sets, in their order of increasing cost.
Sheesham is a lighter colored brown. It is an excellent choice for chess pieces, with its ability to be carved. Identical sheesham set can be up to 50% less that Rosewood set and 70% less that Ebony. Sheesham pieces are just as beautiful as their counter part, with a warm traditional feel to them.
Rosewood chess sets are then next on the ladder. Rosewood is a darker wood with the distinction of having even darker grain running through it. The color of the meat of the wood varies in hue between brown and deep coffee, with some pieces even having a hint of red running throughout. The wood is both more difficult to obtain and to work. Consequently, the skill needed to work with rosewood drives the cost higher. These factors combine for an amazing looking chess set.
Finally there is Ebony. No other chess set can make the same impression as one made from ebony. It is a dense hard wood, varying in color from dark purple to deep black. It is also an exotic wood that when carved, it is a very impressive as chess pieces. Only the most skilled artisans can produce the raw wood into a beautiful chess set. That, coupled with its rarity and demand causes the ebony chess sets to rise in price.
Hopefully we have been able to give an idea of some of the things that go into the pricing a chess set and help you decide which type of chess set you are looking to obtain. Even though you can choose amongst a large price range, a chess set is an investment that will return hours of joy and satisfaction to anyone who empowers themselves to own one.
