Bolivian Rosewood (Swartzia tomentosa), also known as Morado or Santos Rosewood, is a dense South American hardwood with rich purple-brown to chocolate coloring. It is used for flooring, furniture, musical instruments, and high-end decorative work, offering a visually and tonally rich rosewood-like experience without CITES restrictions.

No. Bolivian Rosewood is not a true rosewood (Dalbergia species) despite its common name. It belongs to the Swartzia genus. Unlike true rosewoods, Bolivian Rosewood is not currently regulated under CITES, making it a more freely tradeable alternative that offers similar aesthetics and working properties.

Bolivian Rosewood features rich purple-brown to chocolate-brown heartwood with darker streaks, sometimes showing violet or burgundy tones. The color deepens with age and finishing, developing a beautiful, warm patina. Its rich coloring closely resembles Indian Rosewood and is one of its most prized visual characteristics.

Bolivian Rosewood has a Janka hardness of approximately 3,000 lbf (13,350 N), making it an extremely hard tropical hardwood — significantly harder than most domestic species and many popular exotics. This hardness makes it exceptionally durable for flooring, tool handles, and high-wear decorative applications.

Yes. Bolivian Rosewood's extreme hardness (Janka ~3,000 lbf) makes it one of the most durable flooring options available. It resists denting, scratching, and heavy foot traffic exceptionally well. Its rich color and fine grain produce stunning floors, though its hardness can make installation and cutting more challenging.

Yes. Bolivian Rosewood is used as a rosewood fretboard substitute by many guitar builders, especially since CITES restrictions on Indian and Brazilian Rosewood tightened. It offers similar hardness, smooth playing surface, and warm tonal characteristics, and its appearance closely resembles traditional rosewood fretboards.

Bolivian Rosewood is difficult to work due to its extreme hardness and density. It dulls cutting tools rapidly, requires carbide tooling, and its high oil content can complicate gluing and finishing. Pre-drilling before fastening and surface degreasing before gluing are both essential practices.

Bolivian Rosewood (Swartzia tomentosa) is native to Bolivia and neighboring South American countries including Peru and Brazil. It grows in tropical and subtropical moist forests at higher elevations than many other tropical species.

No. Unlike true rosewoods (Dalbergia species), Bolivian Rosewood (Swartzia tomentosa) is not currently regulated under CITES. This makes it a more accessible alternative to Indian or Brazilian Rosewood for international trade, guitar builders, and woodworkers who want rosewood-like properties without the regulatory burden.

Oil-based finishes, CA glue polish, and hardwax oils work well on Bolivian Rosewood after the surface has been degreased with acetone. Its natural oils can significantly impair adhesion of water-based finishes and standard wood glues, so proper surface preparation is the most critical step in finishing.