Rosewood has been used in this country since sometime in the last century.
Strictly speaking, rosewoods are of the Dalbergia species, but other woods
are called rosewood either because they have a rosy scent or resemble true
rosewoods.  They are found inall tropical continents and are all hard,
heavy, dark, and beautiful.  The best known species are Brazilian
Rosewood, (as Jim Rhodes says, the wood of choice for the backs and sides
of the best guitars), Cocobolo from Mexico, East Indies Rosewood and
Sissoo--the plantation grown variety of the same species, African
Blackwood, and Honduras Rosewood.  They vary from dark reddish brown to
black and often have ribbon grain.

Because of its beauty and durability, rosewood has often been usedin small
pieces where those characteristics are desired, such as woodworking tool
handles, pepper mills, and the like.  The best quality metal body
woodworking planes always had rosewood handles and "stuffings", as did
squares, T-bevels and the like.  If the tool was built of metal and wood,
the wood was likely rosewood.

Because rosewood is difficult to work, and tends to check and split as it
dries, it is not often used in architectural woodwork.  It does make
marvelous furniture, however, and splendid veneers.  And it is very
expensive.  I designed some stairs and railings with rosewood inlay, and
was told that the rosewood cost more than $20 a board foot.  A 4'x8' sheet
of 3/4" plywood is around $300, compared to around $60 for oak.

Because of the cost scarcity, and rainforest ethics of using real
rosewood, many manufacturers have turned to resin impregnated dyed north
american hardwoods which somewhat resemble the real thing.  But they're
not the real thing.

I've worked with the stuff enough that I have become sensitized to it, and
can no longer breathe the dust without allergic reactions.  So now I have
to wear a respirator when working with it, and can't smell the wonderful
scent.  Sometimes life just isn't fair.

Dean Koga
Son of a furniture maker