4,700+ sold · 100% feedback · US-based
Santos rosewood gives you the deep reddish brown color and figure people love about true rosewood, without the international paperwork that comes with true rosewood species. If you want santos rosewood veneer sheets for a warm, sophisticated look, this is genuine wood veneer worth having on hand.
We cut and sell santos rosewood veneer by the square foot in small, maker-friendly sizes.
What is santos rosewood veneer?
Santos rosewood veneer is a thin slice of real wood, Machaerium scleroxylon, native to South America. It is not a true Dalbergia rosewood, but it shares a similar look and is sold under this trade name for that reason. Slicing it thin stretches one tree across many sheets, so a single log covers far more surface than the same wood sawn into solid boards. Because it is genuine wood veneer, not a printed laminate, it sands, stains, and finishes exactly like the solid board it came from.
Quick facts
Origin: South America, primarily Brazil and Bolivia
Color: Rich reddish brown to purplish brown, often with darker streaks, deepening with age
Grain / figure: Straight to slightly wavy, fine texture
Cut: Plain sliced
Janka hardness: About 2,200 to 2,400 lbf
Thickness: We stock 1/45 inch raw and thicker options
Backing: Raw, or paper backed veneer on request
Workability: Good, similar in feel to true rosewood species
Sold: By the square foot, ready to ship
Appearance and figure
Santos rosewood carries the rich, reddish to purplish brown color that makes true rosewood so desirable, often with darker streaking running through the grain that deepens further with age. Texture is fine and even, with a straight to gently wavy grain that reads as refined rather than busy.
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Working and finishing tips
Santos rosewood cuts and presses well with a sharp razor knife and standard wood glue or contact cement. It behaves similarly to true rosewood on the bench, dense but workable with sharp tools.
A clear oil or lacquer finish brings out the depth of the reddish brown color and any streaking figure.
Honest cautions.
- Dense wood dulls blades faster than average. Keep your tools sharp for a clean cut.
- Color deepens with age. Expect the reddish brown to grow richer and slightly darker over time under normal light exposure.
- Not a true rosewood, and that is a feature. If a project specifically calls for genuine Dalbergia rosewood, note that this is a different genus. For most design purposes the look is very close.
Best uses
- Rosewood look guitar tops and backs. A popular substitute where true rosewood's cost or paperwork is a barrier. See Veneer for Guitars & Luthiers.
- Box lids and marquetry. Its refined color and grain suit fine detail work. See Veneer for Boxes & Marquetry.
- Furniture accents. A warm, sophisticated tone for cabinetry trim.
For a true rosewood family alternative with dramatic figure, compare our Macassar Ebony. Browse the full Wood Veneer Types pillar or head to the Shop.
Sustainability and sourcing
Because Santos rosewood is Machaerium scleroxylon rather than a true Dalbergia species, it is not subject to the CITES Appendix II restrictions that cover true rosewoods. That means you get the rosewood look without the international export permits true rosewood requires, a genuinely practical and honest reason to choose it.
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Every sheet below is a live WoodCycle listing. We are US-based and ship fast, usually within one business day.
Frequently asked
Is Santos rosewood a true rosewood?
No, it is Machaerium scleroxylon, a different genus from true Dalbergia rosewoods, though it shares a similar reddish brown look and is sold under the rosewood trade name for that reason.
Does Santos rosewood require CITES paperwork like true rosewood?
No. Because it is not a Dalbergia species, it is not subject to the CITES Appendix II restrictions that cover true rosewoods.
Is Santos rosewood veneer hard to work with?
It is dense, similar in feel to true rosewood, so sharp tools help. Otherwise it glues and finishes normally.
What does Santos rosewood look like compared to true rosewood?
Very similar, a rich reddish to purplish brown color with darker streaking, which is exactly why it is used as a substitute.
Where does your Santos rosewood come from?
South American Santos rosewood, primarily Brazil and Bolivia, sourced through established veneer suppliers.
Need another species for the project?
Browse the full species library or shop live listings on eBay.