Guayacan "Genuine Lignum Vitae" Turning Blanks & Pen Blanks

Guayacan "Genuine Lignum Vitae" Guaiacum officinale

Lignum Vitae heartwood is dark greenish brown to almost black and sharply demarcated from the pale yellow or cream-colored sapwood. Texture is very fine; grain is strongly interlocked; a slight scent is evident when warmed or rubbed. It has a characteristic oily feel due to the resin content that may be as high as one-fourth of the air-dry weight. Somewhat difficult to work with hand or machine tools, the wood turns and shapes well and takes a high polish. Because of oily resins, requires special surface treatments for satisfactory gluing.

Source region: Caribbean, north coastal South America