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Rosewood – African
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| Botanical Name | Guibourtia coleosperma |
|---|---|
| Other Names | African Rosewood, False Mopane |
| Main Color Group | Reddish |
| Grain Pattern | Pronounced |
| Workability | Easy |
| Avg Dry Weight - LB/FT3 | 45 |
| Avg Dry Weight - KG/M3 | 810 |
| Janka Hardness - LBF | 2350 |
| Janka Hardness - Newtons | 9800 |
African Rosewood is a species from the same genus as Bubinga (Guibourtia), which has led to Bubinga often mistakenly being referred to as “African Rosewood.” Though obviously not a true rosewood, it does often bear aesthetic similarities. The grain is generally straight but can be interlocked; its texture is moderately fine. The heartwood color ranges from pink to reddish-brown, with purple or red streaks / lines / highlights.
African Rosewood works well, although it can have a moderate blunting effect on tools. It glues and finishes well. It needs to be dried slowly and carefully, to prevent warping and cracking. It’s a durable wood and is considered stable, once dried.
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Sustainability: Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Common Uses: Furniture, flooring, decking, architectural paneling & woodwork, veneer, interior trim, musical instruments, boatbuilding, turnings, small decorative and specialty items.
Comments: This wood has been used for a huge variety of roles in its native Africa. The tree, itself, and its budding flowers have been used for everything from cooking oils, to nutrional / healing drinks and even for producing a red dye which African craftsmen use for staining furniture.
The wood is considered very durable, thus seeing it used in a host of exterior as well as interior applications. It is relatively easy to work, although it can be very difficult to dry.
Species Description: Wood Species
| Image | Price | Grade | Dimensions | SKU | Buy | Description | hf:att:pa_grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | A | 81 × 4.75 × 0.8 in | ROSEAF1028 | | Tear outs/defects on one face. Cracks on one edge. | a | |
 | $44.51 | AB | 81 × 5.75 × 0.8 in | ROSEAF1029 | | Typical pin knots, some with tear out. Small chip on one edge. Tiny hole. | ab |
 | AB | 80.75 × 6.25 × 0.8 in | ROSEAF1030 | | Diagonal crack from one edge. Knot on same edge on one face. Small defect same edge on other face. | ab | |
 | A | 80.75 × 5.5 × 0.8 in | ROSEAF1025 | | Typical tight knots. Cracking on one edge near one end. One gouge near cracks. | a | |
 | AB | 80.75 × 6.5 × 0.8 in | ROSEAF1026 | | Few small knots with tear out. Larger knot and dark stain on one edge | ab | |
 | AB | 77 × 8 × 0.8 in | ROSEAF1027 | | Small end check. Few gouges on one face. | ab | |
 | A | 81 × 8.25 × 0.8 in | ROSEAF1021 | | Typical tight knots. Small crack on one edge. Tiny hole near one end. | a | |
 | $81.45 | A | 80.75 × 9.5 × 0.8 in | ROSEAF1022 | | Crack into board at one edge. Typical tight knots. | a |
 | A | 80.75 × 7.75 × 0.8 in | ROSEAF1023 | | One knot with a bit of tear out. Cracks on one edge. | a | |
 | A | 81 × 4.75 × 0.8 in | ROSEAF1024 | | Several larger knots. Spalting mainly one face. 2 rough patches | a | |
 | B | 81 × 7 × 0.8 in | ROSEAF1017 | | Typical pin knots, several with tear out. Knot on one edge | b | |
 | $27.52 | B | 81 × 4 × 0.8 in | ROSEAF1018 | | Several worm tracks. Dark heart on one edge. | b |
 | AB | 81 × 5.5 × 0.8 in | ROSEAF1019 | | Typical pin knots. Little sap on one edge | ab | |
 | A | 80.5 × 5 × 0.8 in | ROSEAF1020 | | Check at one end. Spalting on one edge. Small stain on other edge. | a | |
 | $42.17 | AB | 76.75 × 5.75 × 0.8 in | ROSEAF1014 | | Two tiny knots with bit of tear out. Otherwise good. | ab |
 | A | 80.75 × 5 × 0.8 in | ROSEAF1015 | | Couple tiny worm holes. Typical tight knots. | a | |
 | A | 81 × 7.25 × 0.8 in | ROSEAF1016 | | Knot on one edge | a | |
 | $32.70 | A | 77 × 4 × 0.8 in | ROSEAF1011 | | One knot on one edge | a |
 | $100.75 | A | 80.75 × 11.75 × 0.8 in | ROSEAF1012 | | Several typical pin knots, some with tiny holes. Stunning figure. | a |
 | $66.66 | A | 81 × 7.75 × 0.8 in | ROSEAF1013 | | Several typical tight knots | a |
 | AB | 80.75 × 9.25 × 0.8 in | ROSEAF1008 | | Large knot near one end. Otherwise good with lovely figure. | ab | |
 | AB | 80.75 × 6.75 × 0.8 in | ROSEAF1009 | | Few pin knots one side. Small dark stain on other. | ab | |
 | A | 77 × 7.75 × 0.8 in | ROSEAF1010 | | Minor spalting in center with few worm holes. Crack at one end. | a | |
 | $42.87 | A | 80.75 × 5 × 0.8 in | ROSEAF1005 | | Few small places of tear out. Chip on one edge. | a |
 | $62.95 | A | 76.5 × 7.75 × 0.8 in | ROSEAF1006 | | Tiny pin hole near one end. Stunning figure. | a |
 | $62.35 | A | 81 × 7.25 × 0.8 in | ROSEAF1007 | | 3 strap marks on edge. Large defect one side of one end. Heart wood on other end on one edge | a |
 | A | 69.5 × 4.5 × 0.8 in | ROSEAF1001 | | Typical tight pin knots | a | |
 | $31.39 | AB | 73 × 4.5 × 0.8 in | ROSEAF1002 | | Typical tight pin knots | ab |
 | $55.95 | AB | 80.75 × 7.25 × 0.8 in | ROSEAF1003 | | Two chips out of one edge. Cracks on other edge near top | ab |
 | $49.45 | A | 81 × 5.75 × 0.8 in | ROSEAF1004 | | Crack at on end. Defect on one edge | a |
 | $0.00 | | Siamese Rosewood, a.k.a. Vietnamese Rosewood, is one of the most dense, dimensionally stable rosewoods. The wood is derived from large evergreen trees which grow in open, semi-deciduous forests. It’s primary heartwood colors are typically confined to varying brown hues, although secondary colors of red, orange and yellows are commonly present. (Sap is a pale yellow, and easily distinguished.) Its pores are very small by rosewood standards; it sands smooth and finishes beautifully, with a wonderful natural luster. It is typically straight grained, although grains are occasionally interlocked. It is considered to be one of the most dense, stable and durable of all rosewoods. Because of these properties, Siamese Rosewood has remained extremely popular with Chinese furniture builders — and which has also made it, for many years, a popular target for poachers. This has led to its current ‘near extinction’ status. ————————————————— Sustainability: This species is listed in CITES Appendix II, and is categorized as “Vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; part of the Dalbergia -genus worldwide exportation ban. Common Uses: Veneer; fine furniture; carvings; musical instruments; cabinetry and other interior applications; turning; small specialty items. Comments: Wikipedia had this to say with regard to Dalbergia Cochichinensis: “Siamese rosewood is denser than water, fine grained, and high in oils and resins. These properties make the wood dimensionally stable, hard wearing, rot and insect resistant, and when new, highly fragrant. The density and toughness of the wood also allows furniture to be built without the use of glue and nails, but rather constructed from jointery and doweling alone.” Unfortunately, it has been the demise of this species at the hands of regional neighbors, China, which has placed it on the verge of extinction and is its tragic modern legacy. The incredible demand for it in this new millennium was accelerated prior to the 2008 Olympic games, in Beijing, and continued with the new construction boom the country has experienced. |
Although we don't have any listed pieces for this species available in our online store, add this species to your Quote Request and we'll get back to you with availability in our warehouse.