East Indian Rosewood
Dalbergia latifolia • Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight to narrowly interlocked grain with a medium-coarse texture; exhibits a flat-sawn cathedral pattern on the heartwood section
Color Description
Sharp contrast between the creamy-yellow sapwood and dark purplish-brown heartwood. The heartwood features dark streaks and can fade or darken to a deep chocolate brown over time.
Hardness Rating
2,440 lbf (Very Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; heartwood is highly resistant to rot, decay, and dry-wood termites, though sapwood is susceptible to insect attack.
Common Uses
Musical instruments (especially guitar backs, sides, and fingerboards), high-end furniture, cabinetry, turned objects, and decorative veneers.
Geographic Origin
Native to India, but also grown in Sri Lanka and Indonesia (Java).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$35.00 to $60.00 per board foot depending on figure and grain quality.
Wood Age Estimate
Relatively recent harvesting; the sample shows fresh mechanical cuts and sharp, unoxidized contrast between sapwood and heartwood.
Sustainability Status
CITES Appendix II listed; IUCN Red List status: Vulnerable. Subject to strict trade regulations and FSC availability is limited.
Workability
Generally good to work with, though its high density can dull cutters. Interlocked grain may cause tearout during planing. Glues and finishes well, though natural oils can occasionally interfere with bonding.
Notable Features
Distinctive rose-like scent when being worked; high natural oil content; excellent acoustic resonance properties (tonewood).
Finish Recommendations
High-gloss lacquers or polishes are traditional for instruments; clear oils or wax enhance the deep purple hues without obscuring the grain.
Identification Confidence
High; the distinct transition between the yellow sapwood and the dark, streaky purple-brown heartwood, combined with the visible pore structure, is characteristic of Dalbergia latifolia.