Wamara

A dense, beautifully figured hardwood prized for strength, stability, and premium aesthetics.

Common Name(s): Wamara, Guyana Rosewood, South American Ironwood (trade name)

Scientific Name: Swartzia leiocalycina, Swartzia spp.

Distribution: Guyana, Suriname, Northern Brazil

Wamara is a high‑density tropical hardwood known for its striking appearance, exceptional durability, and impressive mechanical strength. Native to Guyana and the northern Amazon basin, Wamara is prized for its deep brown to purplish tones, fine texture, and dramatic grain patterns. Its density and hardness make it suitable for premium flooring, furniture, decorative slabs, and high‑end millwork. Wamara offers excellent stability, resistance to wear, and long‑term performance, making it a favourite for luxury woodworking and architectural applications.

Key Attributes

Appearance

Colour

Dark brown to purplish‑brown, often with dramatic streaking

Grain

Interlocked, sometimes wavy or highly figured

Texture

Fine and smooth

Density

Extremely heavy

Performance

Workability

Difficult (very dense + interlocked grain)

Durability

Exceptional

Stability

Excellent dimensional stability

Technical Information

Property	Value
Janka Hardness	2,800–3,200 lbf
Modulus of Rupture	20,000–24,000 psi
Modulus of Elasticity	2,300,000–2,700,000 psi
Density	65–75 lbs/ft³ (avg ~70)
Crushing Strength	11,000–13,500 psi
Shrinkage (Radial)	4.5%
Shrinkage (Tangential)	7.8%
Shrinkage (Volumetric)	12.3%
T/R Ratio	1.7
Workability	Difficult (extreme density + interlocked grain)
Planing	Fair; tear-out possible
Sanding	Excellent
Finishing	Outstanding — takes oils and varnish beautifully
Stability	Excellent dimensional stability
Durability	Exceptional (decay, insects, wear)
Moisture Movement	Low