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Luxurious, richly coloured, and beautifully aromatic, Rosewood is an exotic hardwood cherished for its deep tones, fine grain, and exceptional acoustic properties. We offer select Rosewood lumber and turning blanks ideal for high-end furniture, musical instruments, fine inlays, and decorative accents that demand elegance and sophistication. Rosewood ranges in colour from dark brown to purplish-red, often with darker streaks and a natural lustre that polishes to a mirror-like finish. Highly dense and durable, it machines well with sharp tools and holds intricate details—making it a favourite among luthiers, artisans, and woodturners. As a proudly Canadian company, Windsor Plywood specializes in rare and hard-to-find wood species, backed by expert advice and personalized service. Whether you're building a showpiece guitar or a luxury furniture item, Rosewood brings unmatched beauty, resonance, and timeless appeal to every project.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is rosewood and why is it restricted?
Rosewood (Dalbergia spp.) is a family of tropical hardwoods from South America, Africa, and Asia, known for rich brown to purple-red colour, fine figure, and exceptional tonal qualities that make it the premium wood for guitar fingerboards and backs. The entire Dalbergia genus was listed on CITES Appendix II in 2017, restricting all international trade in rosewood and requiring permits and documentation for commercial movement across borders.
Which rosewood species does Windsor Plywood carry?
Windsor Plywood carries rosewood-family species subject to current availability and CITES compliance requirements. Available species and their sourcing documentation vary by shipment. Due to CITES restrictions, rosewood availability is significantly more limited than it was prior to 2017. Contact your local Windsor Plywood branch to confirm what rosewood-family species are currently in stock and with what documentation.
What are the main uses of rosewood in woodworking?
Rosewood is used for guitar fingerboards, backs and sides, musical instrument accents, pen turning, decorative handles, inlay work, high-end furniture accents, and luxury architectural details. Its combination of figure, colour, and tonal properties makes it irreplaceable for certain instrument applications. For furniture and decorative work, other exotic species can provide comparable visual impact where rosewood is unavailable or too costly.
What are good alternatives to rosewood for instrument work?
For guitar fingerboards and backs, commonly used rosewood alternatives include pau ferro (Microblepharisdimensi), ziricote, wenge, and East Indian laurel, which are not currently CITES-listed. For decorative woodworking where colour and figure are the main requirements, padauk, purpleheart, bloodwood, and bocote can provide comparable visual impact.
Is it legal to sell or purchase products made from rosewood?
Selling or purchasing finished products made from rosewood is generally permitted under CITES, as the restrictions apply primarily to raw timber and sawn wood trade. However, documentation of the wood's legal origin may be required for commercial transactions in some jurisdictions. Windsor Plywood complies with applicable regulations for the rosewood species it stocks. Contact your local branch for current guidance.