Purpleheart also known as Amaranth is a dull grayish/purplish brown color, as the wood ages the colour turns to a dark brown with some hints of purple. The grain is usually straight but it can be wavy and have irregular patterns. Purpleheart is very durable and resists both decay and most insect attacks. Common reactions include eye and skin irritation but it has been reported to cause nausea. Common uses for Purpleheart - inlays, accent pieces, furniture and a variety of specialty wood items.
Workability
- Difficult to plane
- Dulling effect on cutters.
- Gummy resin can occur when wood is heated clogging tools and complicate the machining process.