Genuine Mahogany (Honduran Mahogany)
Swietenia macrophylla • Exotic/Tropical
Grain Pattern
Straight to slightly interlocked grain with a medium texture; shows characteristic ribbon-stripe figure when quarter-sawn. Natural luster is moderate to high.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from a pale pinkish-brown to a darker reddish-brown. Color tends to darken with age and exposure to light. Sapwood is a pale yellowish-white.
Hardness Rating
800 lbf (Soft to Medium)
Durability Rating
Durable to Very Durable. Highly resistant to rot and termites, though it has moderate resistance to marine borers.
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, boat building, musical instruments (especially guitar backs and necks), pattern making, and fine veneers.
Geographic Origin
Central and South America (Southern Mexico to central Brazil)
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$15.00 - $25.00 per board foot depending on width and grain figure.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly milled to recently aged (less than 1 year). The light reddish-tan color suggests the wood has not yet undergone significant oxidation or UV darkening.
Sustainability Status
Listed in CITES Appendix II and classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List. FSC certification is common for sustainably managed plantations.
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools. It planes, glues, and finishes exceptionally well, though interlocked grain can occasionally cause tearout.
Notable Features
Characteristic faint cedar-like scent when freshly cut. Widely considered the gold standard for stability and ease of seasoning in woodworking.
Finish Recommendations
Responds beautifully to all finishes; oil-based finishes enhance its chatoyance, while shellac or lacquer provides a classic high-gloss furniture look.
Identification Confidence
Medium-High. The pinkish-brown hue, medium-diffuse pores, and uniform texture are highly characteristic of the Swietenia genus, though it can be visually confused with Sapelli or African Mahogany without microscopic end-grain analysis.