Wood ID Question

[darrin1200]

I found a little carved ashtray at a local thrift store. It appears to be a souvenir from somewhere south. I grabbed it becuase, usually these things are made of some light mystery material, but this thing is very hard and very heavy.

I wanted to slice it up for use as accent pieces in my small turnings. When I sliced the bottom off, I was pleasantly suprised at the beautifuly grain and colour.

I believe it is a rosewood. It is a very tight grain the colour is a very warm red with black. My attached picture dosnt do it justice. It's so hard, that at first my wife didn't believe it was wood. Its not like any rosewood i've worked with before. Is it possible that it is actually Brazilian Rosewood?

Does anyone have any thoughts?

Thanks

 

[knowltoh]

To my eyes, it has the look of Morado.

 

[darrin1200]

Is there a way to tell the difference?

 

[knowltoh]

Morado is a Bolivian Rosewood.

 

[KenV]

It is hard to tell the difference between many of the rosewoods because of overlapping variations. It certainly appears to be a member of the rosewood family and could be some of that which is now scarce --

You will not likely ever get a definite answer without provenance of the source.

"Could Be Brazilian Rosewood" is a good choice.