If you have ever walked into a plywood shop in India, you already know this: Every second sheet is marketed as “Gurjan plywood.” But here’s the uncomfortable truth— A lot of the “Gurjan” sold in the market is not real Gurjan. Some sheets use just a Gurjan face veneer, while the inside core is cheaper poplar or eucalyptus. Others have mixed hardwood, with only 10–20% Gurjan inside.

The quickest and easiest way to identify Gurjan is by color. What real Gurjan looks like – A warm reddish-brown tone – Consistent colour through the top and inner layers – Slightly darker than commercial hardwood – No pale white or yellowish tint

Gurjan’s grain is one of its biggest giveaways. Real Gurjan grain features: – Straight, tight grains – Fine texture – Very minimal knots – No fuzzy or soft grain edges If you run your finger over the face veneer, it feels hard and crisp, not soft or spongy.

Ask the shopkeeper to show you a cut piece or look closely at the side edge of the board. Real Gurjan core looks like: – Layers have uniform reddish-brown colour – Veneers are evenly thick – No “patches” of different wood types – No sudden pale layers in between – No gaps or holes

Here’s a surprisingly accurate trick: Knock on the plywood surface with your knuckles. Real Gurjan: – Sounds dense – Feels hard – No vibration – Hollow sound is absent Fake cores: – Sounds slightly hollow – Feels softer – Vibrates on touch – Has a “thud” instead of a “knock” Gurjan veneers are hard. Poplar/eucalyptus veneers sound much weaker.

Gurjan comes mostly from: – Myanmar – Indonesia – Malaysia – Bangladesh (limited) It is imported and pricier. Real Gurjan plywood is: – Stronger – Heavier – More termite-resilient – More durable – More moisture-resistant Because it’s in high demand, many brands and dealers mix cheaper hardwood in the core and still call it Gurjan. That’s why you need these quick tests.