East Indian Satinwood
Chloroxylon swietenia
Genus: Chloroxylon · Family: Rutaceae
Quick Facts
Wood Type
Hardwood
Native Range
Asia
Avg. Dried Weight
56 lb/ft³
Janka Hardness
2,030 lbf
Decay Resistance
Durable
Typical Color
Yellow / Gold
Stability
High
Outdoor Suitability
Fair
Workability
Difficult
Availability
Limited
CITES
Unlisted
IUCN
Not Evaluated
Did You Know?
- •East Indian Satinwood is harder than 76% of the 137 species in our database.
Janka Hardness Scale
Very Hard
Overview
Professional Summary
East Indian Satinwood (Chloroxylon swietenia) is one of the most lustrous woods in the world, with a brilliant golden-yellow color and silky sheen that has made it coveted for fine furniture since the Georgian era. Dense at 56 lb/ft³ with a fine texture, it produces a surface finish that seems to glow from within.
In Plain English
East Indian Satinwood is the 'glowing gold' wood — it has a brilliant golden-yellow color with an almost metallic shimmer that looks like liquid sunshine. It's been prized for centuries in fine English furniture making and is one of the most beautiful woods in existence.
Appearance
Technical Properties
Sources, Conditions & Safety
No documented references are attached to this profile yet. Its recorded values should not be treated as source-verified.
Wood dust & sensitivity
Species-specific safety information has not been documented here. Absence of a warning does not mean the wood is safe or non-allergenic.
Use dust extraction and appropriate protective equipment; consult occupational-safety guidance. This is not medical advice or food-contact approval.
Durability & Performance
Workability
Common Uses
Fine furniture, decorative veneer, inlays, turned objects, and any application where its extraordinary luster and color are featured.
Sustainability & Trade
Listings are reference information, not proof of legal sourcing or certification. Verify current trade rules and supplier documentation before buying; absence of a note does not mean unrestricted trade.
Interlocked grain causes severe tearout. Dust can be irritating. Limited availability and expensive.
Native Distribution
Find Substitutes
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Species with similar characteristics and uses
Look-Alike Species
Woods with a similar yellow / gold color that are easily confused with East Indian Satinwood. Recorded differences are shown where data exists; confirm identification with end-grain examination.
- • Softer (Janka 1,560 lbf)
- • Lighter (43 lb/ft³)
- • Decay: Very Durable
- • Softer (Janka 990 lbf)
- • Lighter (34 lb/ft³)
- • Decay: Non-Durable
- • Texture: Medium
- • Softer (Janka 1,680 lbf)
- • Lighter (52 lb/ft³)
- • Decay: Moderately Durable