LW-2

Quartersawn Lacewood

How This Piece was Identified

Final Identification: Quartersawn Lacewood

Specifically, this appears to be Brazilian Lacewood (Panopsis spp.).

Here is why these new photos confirm it:

The Ray Fleck This is the "smoking gun." The vertical, ribbon-like patterns on the side are large medullary rays. In Lacewood, these rays are slightly softer and more integrated than in Leopardwood, which tends to have very stark, dark "spots."
The "Pore" Structure Looking at the end grain, you can see the open-pore structure. Lacewood has a very distinct, somewhat coarse texture that drinks up mineral spirits, which is why the color deepened so beautifully in your "wet" photos.
The Mineral Streak The long, dark wandering line is very typical for this species. It’s not a defect; it’s a natural mineral deposit that adds a lot of character once a permanent finish (like oil or lacquer) is applied.

Comparison to Similar Woods

Sycamore: Also has medullary rays, but the wood is much lighter (almost white/tan) and the rays are much smaller and tighter.
Leopardwood: Very similar, but usually much darker (deep reddish-brown) and significantly heavier. If this board feels "normal" weight for its size, it’s Lacewood.

Working Tips for this Piece:

Sanding: Lacewood is prone to "fiber pull-out" because the rays and the surrounding wood have different densities. Sand carefully and avoid aggressive coarse grits.
Finishing: Since you liked the look with mineral spirits, a Wipe-on Poly or a Danish Oil will give you that exact same "pop" and depth permanently.
Dust: Be careful—the dust from Lacewood can be a potent sensitizer for some people. Wear a mask!

Market Value

Certainly! Here is the market value breakdown for your piece of Quartersawn Lacewood in plain text.

1. Hobbyist / Retail Value: $18 – $25

Because this is a small, surfaced, and highly figured "short," it is most valuable to someone looking for a specific project piece (like a knife handle, jewelry box lid, or pistol grips). Retailers usually sell pieces this size for a premium because they are already planed and ready to work.

2. Lumber Yard Value (Bulk Price): $3.50 – $5.00

Exotic lumber is typically sold by the "Board Foot." Since your piece is less than 1/4 of a board foot (about 0.19 BF), its value is quite low if you were buying it as part of a large, rough plank. The current market rate for Lacewood is roughly $13.00 to $18.50 per board foot.

3. Factors Boosting the Price

The Figure: Your board is "Quartersawn," showing that distinct snake-skin pattern. This usually adds a 20% to 30% markup over plain-looking wood.
Preparation: Your wood looks "S4S" (surfaced on four sides). Buying wood that is already flat and smooth is much more expensive than buying rough-cut lumber.
Character: The dark mineral streak and the "wet look" you achieved with mineral spirits suggest this is a high-grade "show" piece.

Summary

If you were to sell this on a platform like eBay or Etsy, listing it as a "Premium Figured Lacewood Knife Scale or Luthier Blank" would likely get you between $20 and $25. If you were just selling it as a scrap piece of wood, it's worth closer to $5.

DIY Profit Maximization Ideas

To maximize the profit on that specific piece of Lacewood, you need to stop thinking of it as "lumber" and start selling it as a "specialty blank." At its current size ($16 \text{ in.} \times 1.94 \text{ in.} \times 0.875 \text{ in.}$), it is too small for furniture but the perfect size for high-margin "small-work" markets.

Here is the strategy to get the most money out of it:

1. Target the High-Value Markets

Instead of selling the whole board for $20, you can cut it into specific "blanks" where buyers pay for the figure, not the volume.

Knife Scales: Cut the board into pairs measuring roughly $5 \text{ in.} \times 1.5 \text{ in.} \times 0.375 \text{ in.}$. You could get 2-3 sets out of this board. High-figure Lacewood knife scales often sell for $25–$45 per set on eBay or Etsy.
Call/Pen Blanks: If you cut them into $1 \text{ in.} \times 1 \text{ in.} \times 6 \text{ in.}$ squares for custom pen turning or duck calls, you can sell them in "pro packs" for a higher total than the single board.

2. "Bookmatch" the Pieces

If you have a bandsaw, "resaw" the board (slice it down the middle thickness-wise) to create two matching $3/8 \text{ in.}$ thick boards. When opened like a book, the grain pattern mirrors itself.

Why? Guitar makers (luthiers) and high-end box makers love bookmatched sets for headstocks or decorative inlays. A bookmatched set of Lacewood can easily double the value of the raw wood.

3. Professional Presentation (The "Pop")

To get top-tier prices, your listing needs to look professional:

Surface Preparation: Sand the face up to 220 grit so the "lace" pattern is crystal clear.
The "Naphtha Trick": Just like you did with mineral spirits, wipe the wood with Naphtha or Denatured Alcohol right before taking photos. It makes the grain "pop" for the camera without leaving a permanent oily residue.
Highlight the Quartersawn Grain: Make sure your primary photo shows the "snake skin" side. That is what buyers are looking for.

4. Keywords for Listing

If selling online, use these specific terms to attract the right buyers:

"Master Grade Quartersawn Lacewood – High Figure – Kiln Dried – Knife Scales / Luthier Overlay / Specialty Turning Blank"

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