Purpleheart
Peltogyne spp. • Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight to interlocked grain with a medium texture; displays a fairly uniform grain with occasional wavy or irregular patterns in specific cuts.
Color Description
Freshly cut heartwood is a grayish-purple brown, but upon exposure to UV light, it turns a vibrant, deep eggplant purple. With prolonged age and light exposure, it eventually transitions to a dark chocolate brown with a purple hue. High natural luster.
Hardness Rating
2,520 lbf (Extremely Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to decay and highly resistant to termite and insect attack.
Common Uses
Fine furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boatbuilding, heavy construction (in native regions), chemical vats, musical instruments, turnery, and accent inlay work.
Geographic Origin
Central and South America (dominantly Brazil, Guyana, and Suriname).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 - $18.00 per board foot depending on width and figure.
Wood Age Estimate
The sample appears to be modern stock, likely aged 1-5 years post-harvest based on the visible purple oxidation and lack of deep surface patina or structural wear.
Sustainability Status
Listed as a species of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List; not currently CITES listed, though some species are becoming rarer; FSC certified options are usually available.
Workability
Challenging due to its extreme hardness; can cause significant dulling of tool edges. If heated by friction (dull blades), it exudes a gummy resin that can clog tools. Good for gluing and finishing, but difficult to plane if grain is interlocked.
Notable Features
Distinctive vibrant purple color; emits a mild, slightly unpleasant scent when being worked; exceptionally strong and stiff with high shock resistance.
Finish Recommendations
UV-inhibiting finishes are highly recommended to preserve the purple color as long as possible. Film-forming finishes like polyurethane or lacquer work well, though wax and oils can cause the color to darken to brown more quickly.
Identification Confidence
High; the dramatic purple hue combined with the characteristic open-pore structure of Peltogyne is very diagnostic for this species.