Goncalo Alves-Tigerwood

Gonçalo Alves, often referred to as Tigerwood, is a striking tropical hardwood prized for its rich golden-brown to deep reddish-brown heartwood with dramatic darker streaks, creating a bold, exotic appearance. Native to Brazil and other parts of South America, Gonçalo Alves is celebrated for its hardness, stability, and natural durability, making it ideal for high-end artisan woodworking and decorative projects.

Its straight to interlocked grain allows Gonçalo Alves to machine, turn, and sand cleanly, producing a polished surface that showcases its distinctive tiger-like striping. Perfect for pen blanks, knife handles, turned objects, inlays, flooring, and fine furniture accents, Gonçalo Alves combines visual drama with exceptional functional performance.

Botanical Information

Scientific Name: Astronium graveolens

Family: Anacardiaceae

Origin: South America (Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay)

Common & Trade Names

Gonçalo Alves, Tigerwood, Astronium, Brazilian Tigerwood

Key Characteristics

Heartwood: golden-brown to deep reddish-brown with dark streaks

Sapwood: pale, narrow, clearly defined

Grain: straight to interlocked

Texture: medium to coarse

Dense, hard, and durable

Dramatic natural luster

Workability

Dense and hard; requires sharp tools

Machines, sands, and turns well

Accepts stains, oils, and finishes beautifully

Glues and polishes reliably

Ideal for precision and decorative projects

Health & Safety Note

Gonçalo Alves wood dust may cause skin, eye, or respiratory irritation. Use proper dust extraction, respirator, and eye protection when machining or sanding.

Gonçalo Alves wood, Astronium graveolens, Tigerwood, South American hardwood, exotic hardwood blanks, pen blank wood, knife handle wood, turning wood, decorative hardwood, artisan craft wood