ebony
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ebony-black
Describing the color of ebony; deep black and often shiny. The word is mostly used in comparisons like 'wie Ebenholz' (like ebony) or in the compound 'ebenholzschwarz' (ebony-black).
Ihr Haar war so schwarz wie Ebenholz.
Her hair was as black as ebony.
The word is derived from the noun 'das Ebenholz' (ebony), a very dark, hard, and valuable wood. The color therefore describes a deep, rich black.
Der Griff des alten Spiegels war aus poliertem Ebenholz.
The handle of the old mirror was made of polished ebony.
As an adjective, 'ebenholz' is almost never declined directly before a noun. Instead, it is used in comparisons such as 'schwarz wie Ebenholz' (black as ebony) or as part of the compound adjective 'ebenholzschwarz' (ebony-black).
Die Katze hatte ein Fell, das so schwarz wie Ebenholz war.
The cat had fur that was as black as ebony.
Using 'ebenholz' (ebony) to describe color is rather poetic or literary. You often find it in books or in very vivid descriptions.
In dem Märchen hatte die Prinzessin Haut so weiß wie Schnee und Haar so schwarz wie Ebenholz.
In the fairy tale, the princess had skin as white as snow and hair as black as ebony.
black
'schwarz' and 'ebenholz' can both describe a very dark color. 'schwarz' is the normal, general word for this color. 'ebenholz' more specifically means a deep, often shiny black like ebony. It sounds more figurative and is usually used in comparisons like 'wie Ebenholz' (like ebony) or in compounds like 'ebenholzschwarz' (ebony-black). In everyday life, people usually just say 'schwarz'. 'ebenholz' fits better when the color is meant to seem especially deep, elegant, or shiny.
Der neue Tisch glänzt dunkel wie Ebenholz.
The new table shines darkly like ebony.
Die Katze versteckt sich so gut, weil ihr Fell ganz schwarz ist.
The cat hides so well because its fur is completely black.