Leopardwood

Leopardwood, also known as Brazilian Ironwood or Snakewood, is a South American exotic hardwood used to make a variety of things from pens to flooring. Extremely texture-rich and visually stunning, the sapwood of Leopardwood is reddish-brown, while the heartwood is chocolate colored. The one thing that separates this wood from others is that it features "leopard spots" inside the wood itself. The spots are a lighter brown that give the wood a unique textured look and feel.

To gain the best perspective on Leopardwood's beauty, the wood should be quartersawn to show the spots in the grain underneath. All of the faces (side, face, and endgrain) have very different looks, but all are equally gorgeous. This wood is commonly used for stairworks, dining room furniture, cabinetry, interior trim, and flooring. It polishes easily and shows a very low resistance to cutting and sanding tools.

Leopardwood is often confused with Lacewood, because they have similar characteristics. However, Leopardwood is much more dense, it is darker in color, and it is more fragile than Lacewood. In addition, Leopardwood is much more rare and typically costs more because of this fact.

Although rare, Leopardwood is now easier to find than ever. With exotic woods from South America, Africa, Australia, Asia, and Europe, InternetLumber.com is a one-stop shop for lumber, flooring, and decking needs. They carry Leopardwood for many uses and can ship wood that matches your prompt specifications. For questions or orders, call them toll-free at 1-877-769-5747. You can also email questions to sales@internetlumber.com.