Brazilian Lacewood

Brazilian lacewood is one of those woods that makes people stop and look twice. At first glance it looks patterned or even inlaid — but that striking “lace” figure is completely natural. When cut correctly, the surface reveals dramatic flecking that resembles lace fabric or reptile skin.

It’s bold, unique, and instantly recognizable.

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What Is Brazilian Lacewood?

Brazilian lacewood comes from South American species known for producing strong medullary ray fleck when quarter sawn. The lace pattern isn’t a burl — it’s created by the tree’s internal structure being exposed at the right angle.

Color typically ranges from light pinkish brown to medium reddish tan, with the lace figure appearing as darker oval or ray-shaped markings across the surface.

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Grain, Figure & Appearance

This wood is all about the lace pattern.

• Prominent medullary ray fleck
• Repeating oval or elongated “lace” shapes
• Straight underlying grain
• Moderate natural contrast

The figure is most dramatic when quarter sawn. Flat-sawn material shows less fleck and more standard grain.

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Density & Stability

Brazilian lacewood is moderately dense and solid.

• Medium to moderately heavy hardwood
• Stable when properly dried
• Strong and durable
• Holds shape well after machining or turning

It’s not overly brittle and performs reliably in most shop environments.

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Turning Characteristics

Lacewood turns well with proper technique.

• Cuts cleanly with sharp tools
• Light cuts help maintain crisp fleck detail
• Sands smoothly
• Takes detail well on spindles and vessels

Because of the ray structure, sharp tools are important to avoid minor tear-out in heavily flecked areas.

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Finishing Brazilian Lacewood

Finish is where the lace pattern really stands out.

• Oils deepen the base color
• Film finishes increase contrast
• Clear finishes highlight the ray fleck

The fleck becomes more pronounced as finish builds, often giving the surface a textured visual effect even when it’s perfectly smooth.

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Common Uses

Brazilian lacewood works best where the figure can be fully appreciated.

• Woodturning bowls
• Boxes and lids
• Decorative panels
• Furniture accents
• Knife scales and specialty items

It’s especially popular for projects where visual texture is the main feature.

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What to Expect From Each Blank

Lacewood can vary depending on how it’s cut.

• Fleck size and density differ
• Quarter-sawn pieces show the strongest lace figure
• Color shifts slightly between blanks
• Understanding how the wood is oriented makes a big difference in how dramatic the final piece looks.

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Final Thoughts

Brazilian lacewood offers a completely natural pattern that looks almost designed. It’s stable, workable, and visually distinctive without being chaotic. If you want a project that stands out but still feels clean and structured, lacewood is a strong choice.