Photo: Mike B

Why is purple heart wood so expensive?

Purple Heart wood, otherwise known as Amaranth, extensively grows in some parts of Central America. It is somehow rare, very durable, and resists both decay and most insect attacks, which is partly the reason why it is expensive. It is also water-resistant which is why it is often used on boat deckings and flooring.

usvintagewood.com - The 9 Most Expensive Wood Species in the World

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Published May 11th, 2020

Most people often admire things made of wood. Whether it’s furniture, decoration for your living room, or even the floors and ceilings for your beautiful home, you can never go wrong when you choose to use wood. It gives a unique and classy outcome; hence, it never goes out of style. But you might have wondered why some things that are made of wood are quite costly while some are not. Well, it’s because there are different types of wood, and the value of wood depends on several factors. The price of a wood depends on its durability, resistance, how complicated it is to work with, and, most importantly, how rare the wood is. The more unusual the tree, the higher the price will be. If you’re fond of luxurious things, here are the most expensive woods in the world and why it fetches such hefty prices.

African Blackwood

African Blackwood is one of the hardest and densest wood in the world and is mostly used for musical instruments. It is considered as the most expensive wood in the world because not only it is challenging to work with hand or machine tools, its trees are already near-threatened. But as expensive as it may seem, African Blackwood is worth the price. It is more stable and resistant to warping and is rated as very durable when it comes to decay resistance.

Sandalwood

Sandalwood is the second-most expensive wood in the world and is widely used in the cosmetic industry, especially in perfumes. Sandalwood oil is sought after because of its soft, creamy, and long-lasting scent that it produces. Unfortunately, the production of Sandalwood has decreased while the demand continues to increase. It is on its way to becoming extinct, and that’s what makes Sandalwood so expensive. Pink Ivory, also known as Red Ivory, is an African wood that grows in Zimbabwe and Mozambique, South Africa. Most pink ivory woods are used to make billiard cues, knife handles, and sometimes for medicinal purposes. Because of its incredibly high wood density, it is very durable and highly resistant to decay. While Pink Ivory is relatively common in some parts of South Africa, some people claim that it is “rarer than diamonds,” which is one of the reasons why it is expensive.

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What wood is red inside?

Redheart (Erythroxylon spp.) This Central American hardwood boasts a bright-red color when freshly cut that darkens to deep red over time. The wood features tight, straight grain, making it suitable for turning.

woodmagazine.com - The other red woods - Wood Magazine

Want to add a splash of color to a project? Then check out these four red-hot exotics. Though pricey, they're available, at least in small sizes, from dealers in exotic hardwoods, as well as from catalogs. Consider using them for unique small projects or as accents on larger ones. Redheart (Erythroxylon spp.) This Central American hardwood boasts a bright-red color when freshly cut that darkens to deep red over time. The wood features tight, straight grain, making it suitable for turning. It also machines well using carbide-tipped tools, but has a tendency to burn. This wood isn't the easiest to find, and usually sells as turning blanks or in sizes less than 1 board foot. Cost, in spite of the wood's relative scarcity, runs about $10 per board foot. Chakte kok (Sickingia salvadorensis)Also often referred to as redheart, this more-widely-available wood hails from Central America as well. Its color ranges from pinkish to bright red, with streaks of purple and brown. Maintaining the wood's vivid colors requires a finish that protects against ultraviolet light, or the wood will fade to a golden tan. Common uses for chakte kok include turning, marquetry, and inlay. Again, expect to pay $10 or more per board foot. Bloodwood (Brosimum paraense)This hard, heavy wood goes by several other names, including cardinalwood and satine. Many describe its color as strawberry red, with streaks of gold. Over time, it darkens to reddish brown. Growing in Central and South America, you may find it difficult to buy, though 1-2' pieces known as "shorts" are available. Expect to pay about $12-$15 per board foot. Bloodwood demands sharp tools and light passes, but yields high luster.