Hobbies And Interests
Fragrance
Rosewood gets its name from the sweet fragrance of its core wood. The fragrance is somewhat similar to fresh-cut roses. This fragrant quality is specific to "true rosewoods," which only come from wood of the genus Dalbergia. Some species within this genus are Dalbergia nigra, or Brazilian rosewood, and Dalbergia latifolia, or East Indian rosewood. Rosewood retains its sweet aroma long after it has been cut and formed into products.
Color
Rosewood is usually a deep brown wood, though there are some species that are much lighter and darker. Rosewood is also characterized by darker veins that make the wood look slightly striped. There are also hardwoods that are sometimes called rosewood although they do not belong to the genus Dalbergia. These woods, such as Australian rose mahogany, are usually much darker than true rosewood.
Hardness
Though not all hardwoods are actually hard, rosewood is a particularly dense and hard specimen. Its strength and sturdiness make it perfect for a variety of products. Rosewood is used in many high-end luxury products, such as handcrafted pool cues, wooden chess pieces, musical instruments and handles. Rosewood is also used in luxury wood flooring. It takes well to polishing and waxing and retains its luster for years.
Endangered Species
Many species of true rosewood are also critically endangered and protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. In some places, such as Madagascar, rosewood logging is illegal and a source of many logging crimes. Because true rosewood is endangered, products made from it tend to be expensive and rare.