Amaranth | Purple Heart
Amaranth, also known as Purpleheart, is an exceptional Fine Wood that is particularly prized and used for its striking purple color. It is extremely dense, durable, and resistant to moisture, pests, and wear and tear compared to most hardwoods. Due to its exceptional hardness, sharp tools are absolutely essential for working with it. However, with a spiral-toothed blade, the wood can be planed easily and without tearing. Purpleheart is extremely popular among hobby woodworkers and is perfect for special projects that can benefit from a slightly bolder color. Of course, as with most types of wood, it’s important to note that the color darkens over time and no longer appears as a vivid purple. Depending on the tree trunk, the wood may be lighter and a more intense purple from the start, or it may be darker.
Color & grain
- Fresh heartwood: Grayish-brown to violet-brown; develops an intense violet to purple hue after a short time when exposed to light.
- Aged wood: It darkens over time and takes on brown-violet to reddish-brown hues, especially quickly when exposed to direct sunlight due to UV rays.
- Sapwood: Very light, almost white.
- Grain: Mostly straight, occasionally wavy, with a simple grain pattern and a uniform surface appearance.
Tree size & wood properties
- Average height: 30-50 meters
- Trunk diameter: 60-120 cm
- Hardness : Janka hardness: ~11,200 N – significantly harder than many woods such as oak or walnut, making amaranth a good choice for heavy-duty applications
- Weight: Medium to high density, approx. 905 kg/m³ in the dried state.
- Durability:
- Highly resistant to moisture, fungal attack and insects, ideal for outdoor use.
Frequent uses
- Exclusive furniture & decor: High-quality cutting boards, tables, jewelry, woodturning, and designer furniture because of the unique color of Purple Heart.
- Musical instruments: Popular for guitar fingerings, string instruments and percussion instruments.
- Floors & stairs: Ideal for high-traffic areas due to its high hardness.
- Outdoor constructions: Suitable for wooden decking, bridges and garden furniture due to its high weather resistance.
Buy Amaranth / Purple Heart at JS Massivholz
Available in 60/100/160 cm lengths and different thicknesses in our online shop.
