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Ceylon Satinwood (Chloroxylon swietenia)

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Ceylon satinwood (Chloroxylon swietenia), sometimes called East Indian satinwood, is a rare and refined species native to Sri Lanka and southern India.

Its visual appeal lies in its golden to honey-yellow colour and its strong natural lustre, which give it an elegant chatoyance. Its very fine grain and its often mottled or wavy figure reveal, once polished, a satin-smooth and luminous surface of great decorative richness. When worked, it releases a light, lemony scent.

This dense and uniform wood works with great precision and is ideally suited for high-end furniture veneer, marquetry and small fine cabinetmaking pieces.

Since the trees are of small diameter, it is mostly used as veneer rather than solid wood. Sourced today from limited supplies, it is distributed in small quantities by specialised dealers.

Ceylon satinwood is also appreciated for the quality of its finish: it takes varnish, shellac and polish exceptionally well, revealing remarkable depth of colour.

Its price varies according to figure and veneer quality, from €45 to €90 per m² for standard grades, up to €180 to €250 per m² for rare figured lots. Admired for its brilliance and natural refinement, it remains a prized and sought-after species in fine furniture and bespoke craftsmanship.

Characteristics:

- Colour: light yellow to golden amber, darkening slightly with age.

- Appearance: very high natural lustre, marked chatoyance (satin/moire effect), often wavy, pommele or moiré figure in veneer.

- Grain & texture: grain often mottled or interlocked, very fine and even texture.

- Scent: faint lemony aroma when worked (hence its name).

- Density: hard and compact wood (approx. 750–900 kg/m³ at 12% MC).

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