Purpleheart wood

Wood library / Exotic hardwoods

Purpleheart

Purpleheart

Exposure to air and light after machining brings out a vivid purple colour. The wood itself becomes a colourful accent.

WOODWAY MAGAZINEBrown immediately after sawing, it turns vivid purple on exposure to air. Its strength makes it useful for flooring and small objects.

Colours range from pink to deep purple, with cream sapwood at the edge.

Scientific name
Peltogyne spp.
Origin
Central and South America
Colour
Purple
Characteristics
Distinctive purple colour · Hard texture · Bold colour accent
Suggested uses
Furniture accents · Small objects · Inlay · Sculptural objects
Ask about this wood

Colour, figure, knots and cracks vary even within the same species. Check photographs, condition and usable dimensions of the actual piece before ordering.

Read more in Woodway Magazine

Purpleheart, Purple Without Paint
Wood storiesPurpleheart, Purple Without Paint

When people first see a purpleheart board, they naturally suspect that it has been painted. But this purple comes from inside the wood. Look at the purple across the broad face together with the bright band along the edge, and you can read how the tree grew.

Nov 7, 2026 · 4 min read
Purpleheart: A Colour Changed by Time
Wood storiesPurpleheart: A Colour Changed by Time

It may look dyed, but the color comes from the wood itself. Read about the appeal and transformation of its vivid purple, along with ways to place color within a piece.

Oct 5, 2026 · 7 min read
What Is Specialty Wood?
MaterialsWhat Is Specialty Wood?

Neither structural lumber nor plywood, but wood that is rare, beautiful, and strong.

Jul 14, 2025 · 7 min read

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