Why Sandalwood Oil is More Expensive Than Gold

Sandalwood has been revered for centuries. It is not just known for its grounding, creamy aroma; it also offers soothing properties for the skin and spirit. Today, this sacred wood—and the oil distilled from it—is often considered more precious than gold. When you understand the process that creates just one drop of sandalwood oil, it’s easy to see why.

To see the process of extracting Sandalwood Oil from the tree click HERE

Why Sandalwood Oil Outvalues Gold

The comparison of sandalwood oil to gold isn't just poetic; it reflects a tangible reality rooted in its rarity and the intensive process of its creation. Here's why this "liquid gold" holds such extraordinary value:

• Decades to Mature: Unlike gold, which is mined, sandalwood oil comes from living trees. It typically takes 15 to 30 years for a sandalwood

  tree to develop the fragrant heartwood from which the oil is distilled. This long growth cycle makes it a significant long-term investment.

• Low Yield: Even after decades of growth, the amount of oil obtained from each tree is remarkably small. This resource-intensive process means a significant amount of mature heartwood is needed to produce just a tiny quantity of the precious oil.

• Scarcity and Overharvesting: Historically, rampant overharvesting and illegal trade, particularly of the highly prized Indian sandalwood (Santalum album), have severely depleted wild populations. This scarcity has driven up the price of authentic, high-quality sandalwood oil dramatically.

• Labor-Intensive Extraction: The steam distillation process, which extracts the oil from the heartwood deep within the trunk and roots, is a meticulous and time-consuming endeavor, further adding to its cost.

• Ancient Wisdom & Unique Properties: Beyond its material value, the "extraordinary intelligence" and "wisdom" believed to flow through these ancient trees contribute to its perceived preciousness. Its unique properties, including its calming, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects, make it highly sought after for both emotional healing and physical nourishment.

The combination of slow growth, limited yield, historical scarcity, and the intricate extraction process makes pure, ethically sourced sandalwood oil a true luxury, often surpassing the cost of gold ounce for ounce.

The Journey from Tree to Oil

Sandalwood oil is steam distilled from the heartwood of mature trees. This rich, aromatic core is found deep within the trunk and roots. These ancient trees possess extraordinary intelligence. Each ring of growth represents a year of life. Each root connects intentionally with the forest around it. This wisdom flows through the trees and is transferred into the precious oil. When we apply it to our skin or breathe it in, we benefit from that ancient wisdom and the healing magic of nature.

Why Sustainability Matters

The resource-intensive process of producing sandalwood oil, combined with decades of overharvesting and illegal trade, has made authentic sandalwood from India incredibly rare. This scarcity contributes to why high-quality sandalwood oil often costs more than gold.

To combat this issue, at Fae, Flower & Stone we use only sustainably grown sandalwood oil - Santalum spicatum - cultivated on managed plantations in Australia. When we include this sandalwood in our products (WINT/ER FALL 2025 Creosote & Sandalwood Butter), we do so with deep reverence, and not a single drop goes to waste. Also, unlike most other essential oils, sandalwood actually improves with age so they are like fine wines and I love that and nothing ever gets thrown away because of age like many other natural ingredients.

FALL/WINTER 2025: Creosote & Sandalwood Butter - intensive skin, cuticle, hair, beard treatment

Benefits of Sandalwood Oil for Emotional Healing

Sandalwood oil is treasured for its calming and centering effect and why I love breathing it in and using it skincare products:

• Easing Anxiety: It helps alleviate anxiety and balances fluctuating emotions.

• Alleviating Grief: Sandalwood can also assist in overcoming feelings of hopelessness, overwhelm, or grief.

• Enhancing Meditation: During meditation, it can facilitate a stronger connection to higher guidance.

Gentle Power for the Body

Physically, sandalwood offers deep nourishment. In our organic self-care skincare products, it provides a wealth of benefits:

• Anti-inflammatory Properties: It offers relief for sensitive or reactive skin.

• Antibacterial Support: Sandalwood helps combat acne-prone areas.

• Moisturizing Effects: It subtly soothes, tones, and moisturizes.

Why We Include Sandalwood in Our Products

Sandalwood oil is a true gift from nature. Its unique scent and incredible benefits have stood the test of time. Whether you are looking for emotional support or physical nourishment, sandalwood is an excellent choice. We are proud to offer this fall a new product "Creosote & Sandalwood Butter" that contains this precious oil, allowing you to experience its advantages firsthand.

Discover the powerful effects of sandalwood today, and experience the remarkable benefits it brings to your life. For more insights into our future products please sign up for our newsletter.