Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionPreciosa Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Preciosa 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 nameAniba canelilla
Janka hardness3,340 lbf
Average dried weight68.7 lb/ft³
Best fitExterior construction
Overview
Why choose Preciosa?
Preciosa is a imported specialty hardwood associated with Central America down to northern South America. It is useful when the project calls for exterior construction, furniture, and turned objects
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 nameAniba canelilla
DistributionCentral America down to northern South America
ShrinkageRadial: 6.4%, Tangential: 8.2%, Volumetric: 13.6%, T/R Ratio: 1.3 More images | Identification
DurabilityRated as very durable; excellent insect and borer resistance.
Preciosa colour, grain, and figure
Expect heartwood ranges from golden to dark brown, further darkening with age. The contrasting sapwood is yellow.
In practical selection, the grain and texture are best treated this way: grain can be irregular, with a uniform texture and good natural luster.
Working notes
In the shop, with its high density and irregular grain, preciosa’s workability is (understandably) more difficult than timbers of more moderate density. However, when compared to woods of similar weight, its workability is better than expected.
Besides the standard health risks associated with any type of wood dust, no further health reactions have been reported with preciosa.
Preciosa should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Preciosa
Best projects
Exterior construction, furniture, and turned objects
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 Preciosa 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.
Live edge slabs
Use when the customer cares more about slab format and visual impact than this exact species.
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.
Preciosa FAQ
What is Preciosa best used for?
Preciosa is best considered for exterior construction, furniture, and turned objects. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Preciosa 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 Preciosa?
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.