In recent years, Burmese rosewood has gained popularity among redwood enthusiasts due to its warm, jade-like color and excellent value for money. However, in the current unregulated mahogany furniture market, some dishonest manufacturers are using low-quality materials that resemble Burmese rosewood, deceiving consumers. As a result, buyers must be cautious and sharpen their ability to distinguish real from fake.
Today, we’ll take a closer look at one of the most commonly imitated woods that often passes as Burmese rosewood.
[Image: A close-up of large-flowered red sandalwood]
According to national standards, large-flowered red sandalwood (also known as Burmese rosewood) has a porous structure with distinct semi-annual rings. The heartwood typically ranges from orange-red to brick red or purple-red, often featuring dark streaks. When scratched, the wood reveals visible marks. Its water extract is light yellow-brown, with weak or no fluorescence.
The tube holes are larger within the growth rings, though the proportion of these areas is smaller compared to other species. Yellow deposits are frequently found inside the tubes. Axial parenchyma is clearly visible to the naked eye, mainly appearing in concentric, layered, wing-shaped, or thin-lined patterns (1–4 cells wide). The wood fibers have thick walls, and the wood rays can be seen under a magnifying glass. Wavy markings are slightly or very noticeable under magnification, and the ray tissue appears in single columns.
This wood has a rich aroma, fine texture, and a staggered grain pattern. Its air-dry density ranges between 0.80–0.86 g/cm³.
**Common wood species that are often mistaken for large-flowered red sandalwood (Burmese rosewood):**
1. **African Pear**
Known in the market as "red pear" or "Indian rosewood," this wood is often confused with Burmese rosewood. It is not actually a true rosewood. The main differences include a weaker scent, a blood-red heart when freshly cut, and a lighter weight (air-dry density of 0.64–0.72 g/cm³). Its axial thin-walled tissue is well-developed, forming long, band-like structures on the board surface.
2. **Angola Rosewood**
Also called “high cotton pear†in Guangdong, this wood is similar in appearance to Burmese rosewood but is lighter in weight (density 0.51–0.72 g/cm³). It has a weaker scent and more rows of rays.
3. **Gu Yi Su Mu**
Part of the Sumu genus, it's also referred to as "Hongguibao" or "Brazil Pear." While visually similar, it lacks the distinctive fragrance of true rosewood.
4. **Apiar**
This wood belongs to the Sumuaceae family. It has scattered pores, single and double tube holes, and a reddish-brown heartwood. It contains dark gum in the tube holes and has a unique structure. Its air-dry density is 0.80–0.83 g/cm³.
5. **Ganba Bean**
A member of the Sumuco genus, it has pink or brick-red heartwood that turns orange-brown over time. It features yellow-brown stripes and a dense structure. Its air-dry density is 0.85–0.93 g/cm³.
6. **Big Gan Croton**
With a dark red to chocolate-colored heartwood and pink streaks, this wood is often mistaken for rosewood. It has a non-stacked ray structure and a density of 0.76–0.88 g/cm³.
7. **Burmese Red Paint**
Belonging to the Papaver genus, this wood has a bright red to dark purple heartwood with dark streaks. It has banded and looped thin-walled tissue and contains radial tree gums. Its density is similar to that of lacquer trees.
8. **Rubber Paint Tree**
Also known as "Renqi paint" or "Nanyang paint," this wood is part of the lacquer tree family. It has a bright red to deep reddish-brown heartwood with black streaks and no strong odor. Its air-dry density is 0.64–0.96 g/cm³.
9. **Wooden Pods**
Part of the Podaceae family, this wood has a reddish-brown heartwood with a sticky, oily texture. It has elliptical tube holes and yellow deposits. Its air-dry density is high, ranging from 1.05–1.23 g/cm³.
One of the simplest ways to differentiate these imitations from real Burmese rosewood is by its unique, aromatic scent. Always check for this characteristic before making a purchase, especially in markets where quality control is lacking.
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