Wenge rough sawn lumber
Dark exotic alternative for accent parts and premium contrast.
View optionBrazilian Rosewood Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Brazilian Rosewood is best understood by how it looks, how it works, and where it should be used. This guide explains the practical buying details before sending you to the right Kingma products.
Scientific nameDalbergia nigra
Janka hardness2,790 lbf
Average dried weight52 lb/ft³
Best fitVeneer
Overview
Why choose Brazilian Rosewood?
Brazilian Rosewood is a imported specialty hardwood associated with Brazil. It is useful when the project calls for veneer, fine furniture, cabinetry, flooring, musical instruments (acoustic guitars, piano cases, etc.), turned objects, and other small wooden specialty items
For SEO and customer usefulness, this page separates the science from the buying decision: appearance, working behaviour, durability, project fit, and then the right Kingma shopping path.
Scientific nameDalbergia nigra
DistributionBrazil
ShrinkageRadial: 2.9%, Tangential: 4.6%, Volumetric: 8.5%, T/R Ratio: 1.6 More images | Identification
DurabilityHeartwood is rated as very durable to decay resistance, and is also resistant to insect attack.
Brazilian Rosewood colour, grain, and figure
Expect brazilian rosewood can vary in color from a darker chocolate brown to a lighter purplish or reddish brown, with darker contrasting streaks. The black streaks can sometimes form a unique grain pattern that is sometimes referred to as “spider-webbing” or “landscape,” very similar to ziricote .
In practical selection, the grain and texture are best treated this way: brazilian rosewood has a uniform, medium to coarse texture with medium-sized open pores. The grain tends to be straight, but can occasionally be interlocked, spiraled, or wavy.
Working notes
In the shop, easy to work with both hand and machine tools, though it may have a slight blunting effect on cutting edges. Brazilian rosewood turns, and finishes well, though it can sometimes be difficult to glue due to its high natural oil content.
Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Brazilian rosewood has been reported as a sensitizer .
Brazilian Rosewood should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Brazilian Rosewood
Best projects
Veneer, fine furniture, cabinetry, flooring, musical instruments (acoustic guitars, piano cases, etc.), turned objects, and other small wooden specialty items
Use caution
Avoid specifying it by name alone; confirm board size, moisture, colour, figure, and the project environment before buying.
Finish strategy
Test finishes on offcuts first, especially when colour, blotching, outdoor exposure, or grain filling matters.
Buying note
Choose boards, slabs, plywood, blanks, or posts based on the project rather than species name alone.
Shop path
Buying Brazilian Rosewood from Kingma
Start with the direct species match when Kingma sells it. If stock rotates, use the closest live collection or a clearly explained alternative.
Walnut lumber collection
Practical dark premium alternative when the project needs easier machining.
View optionSimilar woods and alternatives
If Kingma does not have an exact match online, use the buying links below as practical alternatives only when the colour, grain, hardness, or project environment makes sense.
Brazilian Rosewood FAQ
What is Brazilian Rosewood best used for?
Brazilian Rosewood is best considered for veneer, fine furniture, cabinetry, flooring, musical instruments (acoustic guitars, piano cases, etc.), turned objects, and other small wooden specialty items. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Brazilian Rosewood beginner friendly?
It depends on density, grain direction, and tooling. Test cuts on offcuts first, and choose Maple, Cherry, Walnut, or Poplar when easier machining is the priority.
Does Kingma sell Brazilian Rosewood?
Use the buying section on this page. If an exact product is not listed, the linked alternatives are included only when they make practical sense for colour, grain, or project use.