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I've got a beautiful set of Black Limba that I'm working with. I noticed some small white flecks in the darkest parts of the wood. Could this be some kind of mineral deposit? Any suggestions on removal or treatment?

Perhaps wiping with Aceton can help?

Fine tip black sharpie to color them in just before finish is said to work.

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There are some variations in the composition of these. For example, I recently noticed some white spots in pores on some Indian Laurel when some water splashed onto it. I rubbed it with a wet rag, and the material in the pores came out. As noted by others, sometimes solvents or acid are needed to remove similar deposits. So, maybe try just water before you go so far as to try acid.

PS

I used some black marker in conjunction with a lacquer finish, and the "ink" separated into the various component colors and made a bright green sheen.

I guess it depends on the finish. Even "permanent" makers (i.e. Sharpie) are not permanent if the right solvent comes along (acetone). If someone writes on a whiteboard with a Sharpie, you can clean it using normal dry-erase makers!

Mike

In my instance, there was already lacquer on the wood when I applied the marker. The ink separated as it was absorbed--maybe like chromotography, where the various chemicals separate as they wick through paper.

That kind of makes sense. If this was nitro, then the solvents would have softened the layer and lifted the ink. Maybe better luck with a coat of Shellac over the inked wood first.