Ceylon Satinwood
Scientific name: Chloroxylon swietenia
Overview
Ceylon Satinwood is one of the most historically prized decorative hardwoods in the world. Known for its shimmering golden color and naturally lustrous surface, it was heavily used in fine European furniture during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Its name comes from its silky, satin-like chatoyance — a reflective quality that gives finished surfaces depth and movement under light.
This is a luxury cabinetmaker’s wood.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Ceylon Satinwood
- Scientific Name: Chloroxylon swietenia
- Region: Asian Hardwoods (Sri Lanka & Southern India)
- Tree Size: 30–60 ft tall, 1–2 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 60 lbs/ft³ (960 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 1,780 lbf
- Color: Golden yellow to yellowish brown
- Grain: Straight to slightly interlocked
- Texture: Fine and smooth with a natural satin-like luster
Identification Characteristics
Ceylon Satinwood is identified by its warm golden coloration and naturally high luster. The heartwood ranges from pale yellow to rich golden brown and deepens gradually with age and exposure to light. The grain is typically straight but may show slight interlocking in some boards. Its fine, uniform texture contributes to the wood’s smooth feel and reflective satin-like surface when finished.
Key identification traits include:
- Golden yellow to light brown heartwood
- Fine, even texture
- Straight to slightly interlocked grain
- Naturally high luster
- Subtle ribbon effect in quartersawn material
Working Properties
Ceylon Satinwood is considered moderately easy to work, though it can be somewhat brittle in areas with interlocked grain.
- Chipping may occur during machining if tools are dull
- Sharp tooling is recommended to minimize surface tear-out
- Sands very smoothly due to its fine texture
- Accepts polish and clear finishes exceptionally well
- Veneer slicing produces highly decorative material
Proper tool sharpness and careful machining significantly improve results and surface quality.
Safety Note
As with most hardwoods, dust protection is recommended when machining or sanding. Some individuals may experience mild irritation from prolonged exposure to fine dust.
Common Uses
Ceylon Satinwood is used in decorative applications, including:
- Fine furniture
- Cabinet veneers
- Decorative panels
- Inlay and marquetry
- Turned luxury items
- Musical instrument components
Ceylon Satinwood is valued primarily for its visual elegance rather than structural strength.
Sustainability & Notes
Native Sri Lankan material is limited, and export restrictions may apply. Due to historical overharvesting, availability is far more restricted today than in centuries past.
Most commercial supply is specialty-grade lumber or veneer rather than large structural stock.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
West Indian Satinwood – Another satinwood species known for its golden-yellow color and fine texture, historically prized for decorative furniture and veneers.
Teak – A durable tropical hardwood commonly used in fine furniture and marine applications, though typically darker and more oily than satinwood species.
Narra – A decorative Southeast Asian hardwood valued for furniture and cabinetry, often displaying warm golden to reddish tones.
Related Guides
How to Identify Exotic Hardwood by Grain Pattern
Grain texture and color help distinguish decorative tropical hardwoods like satinwood from similar species.
Density & Hardness Explained (Janka Scale Guide)
Understanding hardness ratings helps explain the durability and working characteristics of hardwood species.
Understanding CITES & Protected Species
Some tropical hardwoods are protected or regulated to ensure sustainable harvesting and international trade.
Compare Wood Properties
See how this species ranks in density and hardness using our Wood Density & Janka Hardness Chart. You can also explore Hardest Woods, Softest Woods, and Most Dense Woods for quick comparisons.
Collector Notes
True Sri Lankan Ceylon Satinwood with strong, uniform golden color and pronounced luster is highly sought after. Boards with minimal streaking and consistent tone command premium pricing.
Older reclaimed pieces often display deeper color and enhanced visual depth due to aging and oxidation.
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Wood Sample Collection
This species is part of an ongoing effort to document and preserve wood samples from around the world.
Learn more about contributing to the collection:
Resources
Authoritative botanical and forestry references used in compiling information about this species include:
• USDA Forest Service – Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material
https://www.fpl.fs.usda.gov/products/publications/
• The Wood Database – Global reference for wood identification, physical properties, and woodworking characteristics
https://www.wood-database.com/
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – Plants of the World Online – Botanical taxonomy and species distribution database
https://powo.science.kew.org/
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Red List) – Global conservation status assessments
https://www.iucnredlist.org/
• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) – International trade regulations for protected plant species
https://cites.org/
Additional forestry publications, academic research papers, and regional timber studies may also be referenced where available.
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Availability & Where to Buy
Exotic hardwood availability can vary significantly depending on region, sustainability regulations, and supplier inventory.
As this archive grows, recommended suppliers and specialty wood retailers will be listed here to help woodworkers locate responsibly sourced material.
Lumber Suppliers:
Availability varies — see the Where to Buy Exotic Woods page for current sources.
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