Ziricote
Cordia dodecandra
Ziricote is one of the most visually stunning exotic hardwoods in the world, featuring dramatic dark brown to black heartwood with spectacular spider-web or landscape-like figure patterns. This dense, heavy wood produces an extraordinary polished surface and is prized for high-end guitar backs and sides, fine furniture, knife handles, and luxury decorative items. Its rarity and breathtaking appearance command premium prices among woodworkers and luthiers worldwide.
Janka Hardness
1630 lbf
Moderately hard
Density
52 lbs/ft³
Dense
Shrinkage
Moderate (7.6% tangential, 4.8% radial)
Good stability
Appearance
Color: Medium to dark brown heartwood with dramatic black streaks creating spider-web or landscape patterns. Some pieces show greenish or reddish tones. Sapwood is pale yellow.
Grain: Interlocked to wavy grain with medium to fine texture. Spectacular figure with dark spider-web patterns.
Key Characteristics
- •Spectacular spider-web figure patterns
- •Dense and heavy
- •Polishes to mirror-like finish
- •Very hard and durable
- •Dark dramatic coloration
- •Highly sought by luthiers
Common Applications
Maintenance
Interior use recommended. Clean with soft cloth. Natural oils in the wood provide inherent protection. Takes oil and lacquer finishes beautifully.
Advantages
- +Among the most beautiful woods in the world
- +Extraordinary figure and patterning
- +Polishes to exceptional finish
- +Good hardness and durability
- +Excellent tonal properties for instruments
- +Highly prized collector wood
Considerations
- •Very expensive and limited supply
- •Can be difficult to dry without defects
- •Interlocked grain may cause tearout
- •Limited board widths available
- •May cause allergic reactions
- •Not suitable for outdoor use