- Species: Derived from Brosimum Guianense.
- Origin: Native to Northeastern South America (Suriname, Guyana, Brazil).
- Durability: Extremely high – very dense, hard, and resistant to decay and insect attack.
- Highlights: One of the rarest and most expensive exotic woods in the world, named for its unique snakeskin-like pattern of dark brown to black patches on a reddish or orange-brown background; highly decorative and collectible.
- Form: Small billets, turning blanks, pen blanks, knife handle scales, and occasionally small veneers (large boards are extremely rare due to small tree size and frequent checking/cracking).
- Grade: Premium/select only, chosen for clear snakeskin figure.
- Moisture: Kiln-dried or air-dried MC (6 – 12%); requires careful drying to prevent cracking.
- Dimensions Available: Sawn Lumber / Boards: Rare, Thickness: 2.5 cm, 5 cm / Width: 5 cm – 15 cm / Length: 50 cm – 150 cm. Veneer Sheets: Thickness: 0.05 cm – 0.2 cm / Width: 8 cm – 15 cm / Length: 100 cm – 200 cm. Turning Blanks / Blocks: Square Blocks: 3×3×30 cm, 5×5×30 cm / Pen Blanks: 2×2×15 cm. Slabs: Extremely rare; typically small, Thickness: 4 cm – 8 cm / Width: 15 cm – 30 cm / Length: 80 cm – 150 cm.
- Janka Hardness: ~3,800 lbf (16,900 N) – among the hardest commercial woods.
- Grain: Straight to slightly irregular; fine, uniform texture; brittle and prone to checking.
- Color: Reddish to orange-brown background with dramatic dark brown or nearly black “snakeskin” mottling.
- Water Resistance: Excellent – very dense and naturally resistant.
- Certification: Not CITES-listed, but rare and tightly controlled due to limited availability.
- Outdoor Suitability: Not suitable – cracking and small sizes limit outdoor use.
- Indoor Suitability: Excellent – used exclusively for fine decorative and luxury applications.
- Estimated Prices: Per Cubic Meter (m3) = ~US $50,000 to $80,000+ / Price per Piece = ~US $50 to $500+ (Depending on Size, figure, quality, and clarity, due to rarity).
- Use Cases: Luxury inlays and veneers, knife handles, fountain pens, pool cues, fine musical instrument parts (bows, fingerboards), jewelry, decorative art objects, and small specialty turned items.
