HONDURAN MAHOGANY
(Swietenia macrophylla) is also known as Tropical Mahogany, South American Mahogany, Caoba and Chiculte, big-leaf mahogany, genuine mahogany. Heartwood color can vary a fair amount, from a pale pinkish brown to a darker reddish brown. Color tends to darken with age. Mahogany also exhibits an optical phenomenon known as chatoyancy. Grain can be straight, interlocked, irregular or wavy. Texture is medium and uniform, with moderate natural luster.
CHATOYANCY
You may not know the term “chatoyance”, but you’ve probably seen it. The term derives from the French word “chatoyer”, which means “to shine like a cat’s eye.” If you’ve ever seen the semi-precious stone tiger’s eye, you get the idea. In woodworking, chatoyance is a similarly striking optical quality in which areas of light and dark grain shift and change position depending on the angle of view.
MAPLE
(Acer saccharum) sapwood color ranges from nearly white, to an off-white cream color, sometimes with a reddish or golden hue. The heartwood tends to be a darker reddish brown.
CHERRY
(Prunus serotina) features heartwood in reddish brown to deep red, with brown flecks, and will naturally darken with age. USA
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