Wenge rough sawn lumber
Dark exotic alternative for accent parts and premium contrast.
View optionMadagascar Rosewood Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Domestic hardwood species
Madagascar 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 spp.
Janka hardness2,720 lbf
Average dried weight58 lb/ft³
Best fitOther small specialty items
Overview
Why choose Madagascar Rosewood?
Madagascar Rosewood is a domestic hardwood species. Its natural range is Madagascar. Common uses include other small specialty items, turned objects, carving, inlays, cabinetry, furniture, fingerboards, musical instruments such as guitar bodies and veneer.
Scientific nameDalbergia spp.
DistributionMadagascar
ShrinkageRadial: 3.7%, Tangential: 6.5%, Volumetric: 10.3%, T/R Ratio: 1.8
DurabilityDurability runs from moderate to high, depending on the species.
Madagascar Rosewood colour, grain, and figure
The heartwood generally spans light yellow-brown up to a deeper orange or reddish brown, and dark black streaks are common. These can create a figure called “spider-webbing” or “landscape,” which is also seen in Brazilian Rosewood and Ziricote.
Typically straight grained, with uniform, medium-fine texture.
Working notes
Hand and machine tools generally cut it easily, but some species can dull cutting edges quickly. Take care when gluing and finishing, since the wood's natural oils can interfere with curing.
Rosewoods in the Dalbergia genus, Madagascar Rosewood included, have been reported as sensitizers, although serious reactions are rare.
Madagascar Rosewood should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Madagascar Rosewood
Best projects
Common uses include other small specialty items, turned objects, carving, inlays, cabinetry, furniture, fingerboards, musical instruments such as guitar bodies and veneer.
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 Madagascar 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.
Madagascar Rosewood FAQ
What is Madagascar Rosewood best used for?
Common uses include other small specialty items, turned objects, carving, inlays, cabinetry, furniture, fingerboards, musical instruments such as guitar bodies and veneer. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Madagascar 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 Madagascar Rosewood?
The buying section on this page links to any Madagascar Rosewood Kingma has in stock and to the closest alternatives. Stock changes often, so call (780) 229-7681 or visit the yard at 4607 91 Ave NW, Edmonton to check what is in today.