Indian Rosewood

Indian Rosewood is a highly prized hardwood known for its deep reddish-brown heartwood with darker streaks and a fine, interlocked grain, offering both elegance and durability. Native to India and Southeast Asia, it is celebrated for its strength, stability, and natural beauty, making it ideal for high-end artisan woodworking and decorative projects.

Its straight to interlocked grain allows Indian Rosewood to machine, turn, and sand cleanly, producing a polished surface that highlights its rich color and luxurious figure. Perfect for pen blanks, knife handles, turned objects, inlays, small furniture accents, and specialty crafts, Indian Rosewood combines aesthetic appeal with functional strength.

Botanical Information

Scientific Name: Dalbergia latifolia

Family: Fabaceae

Origin: India, Southeast Asia

Common & Trade Names

Indian Rosewood, East Indian Rosewood, Dalbergia, Sonokeling (regional trade name)

Key Characteristics

Heartwood: deep reddish-brown with darker streaks

Sapwood: pale, clearly defined

Interlocked, fine-grained texture

Dense, durable, and stable

Natural polished luster

Resistant to wear and decay

Workability

Dense and hard; requires sharp tools

Machines, sands, and turns well

Accepts stains, oils, and finishes beautifully

Glues and polishes reliably

Ideal for small precision and decorative projects

Health & Safety Note

Indian Rosewood dust may cause skin, eye, or respiratory irritation. Use proper dust extraction, respirator, and eye protection when machining or sanding this hardwood.

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