Purpleheart (Peltogyne spp.) is from Central and South America, but is mostly found in the Amazon Basin. It's a very distinctive hardwood because of it's purplish or violet colored heartwood. When freshly cut the heartwood is brown, but with exposure it takes on a more purplish hue, which then darkens over time. The sapwood is off-white to grayish-brown.
The texture is fine to medium with a low luster and fairly straight grain, although sometimes irregular. Purpleheart is moderately difficult to work because of its high density, but smooth surfaces are easily obtainable. In the United States, Purpleheart is primarily used for decorative inlay work, craftwork and wood turnings.
