Exquisite Mahogany, an alternative nomenclature employed by some enterprises and individuals in the redwood furniture market, ostensibly employed to enhance the prestige of this particular timber. As appraised by the Chinese Academy of Forestry, the botanical classification of this timber is identified as Lu’s Black Yellow Sandalwood (also categorized as redwood). Within the national standard for “Redwood,” it is classified as Black Acid Branch Wood, with its timber originating from Madagascar in Africa. The freshly cut heartwood exhibits an orange-red hue, transitioning to a deep purple over time, accompanied by a distinct acidic fragrance reminiscent of rosewood. However, its texture is coarse, with evident and broad banded stripes on the radial cut surface. The pores create a pattern resembling coarse, straight, and abundant hairs, giving the wood a rougher appearance compared to purple sandalwood. Presently, the market value is only 14% of that of purple sandalwood. The majority of small items and furniture in the current market are crafted from this material.
Petite Leaf Sandalwood refers to Indian sandalwood. Within the national standard for “Redwood,” it falls under the category of rosewood. The newly cut sandalwood displays a reddish color with black stripes. On the cut surface, extremely fine and sparse hair-like patterns can be observed. On the radial cut surface, there are banded stripes, generally straight, alternating between deep and light, with a width of approximately 3-5mm. The predominant color is a translucent yellow. Petite Leaf Sandalwood emits the fragrance of sandalwood, especially noticeable in newly crafted wardrobes. Upon opening the doors or pulling out drawers, the distinctive aroma permeates the air. Its sawdust solution takes on a grayish-green color, resembling purple liquid, commonly referred to as the fluorescence phenomenon. Authentic Petite Leaf Sandalwood is currently scarce in the market, making items and furniture crafted from this wood exceptionally expensive.
Presently in the market, the price of Large Leaf Sandalwood is 4 tons per ton.
