GONCALO ALVES

Also known as: Zebrawood, Tigerwood (USA)

Botanical Name: Astronium fraxinifolium

Origin: Central and South America

Description: Supplies of this veneer are somewhat erratic. It is usually sliced from narrow flitches to produce straight grained material that is streaked with orangey brown and black broken stripes. Goncalo Alves is a very hard, dense and somewhat greasy veneer that was once mistaken for Rosewood. Used for high quality furniture (when a high gloss finish is said to look particularly good) and special architectural interior work.