I recently acquired a Brazilian Rosewood Southwest. It looks a lot like ebony. I’m wondering if it is on par with the prices of ebony or is it worth slightly more due to the rarity?
Taken from google:
In 1992,
Brazilian rosewood (Dalbergia nigra) was listed on
CITES Appendix I, the highest level of protection, effectively banning international commercial trade due to severe depletion. This action, taken in June 1992, aimed to halt the devastation of the species caused by overharvesting. Consequently, any international sale of instruments or wood requires strict documentation proving it was harvested before this 1992 date.
Key Aspects of the 1992 Ban:
- CITES Appendix I Listing: Effective June 11, 1992, this designation bans international trade of raw timber and products, including guitars.
- Previous Regulations: Export of raw logs from Brazil was already banned in 1967.
- Impact on Instruments: While many guitars with Brazilian rosewood were built, the 1992 ruling made international travel and commerce with them complex, requiring CITES permits.
- Exceptions: Items manufactured or in the US prior to the June 1992 listing date are generally considered "pre-Convention" and may be sold within the US, but international trade remains highly restricted.
Post-1992 Considerations:
- Strict Liability: The Lacey Act imposes strict liability for illegal wood, meaning illegal materials can be seized even if the owner was unaware of the violation.
- Distinction from Other Woods: Unlike other rosewood species, Brazilian rosewood (Appendix I) was not included in the 2019 exemptions for musical instruments.
Possession is not illegal, but moving, selling, or shipping across international borders without documentation is prohibited.
Brazilian rosewood (
Dalbergia nigra) is significantly rarer and more legally restricted than ebony, classified as an endangered species with international trade banned, while various ebony species remain available, though threatened. Brazilian rosewood is considered a "forbidden fruit" with extremely limited, high-priced stock, whereas ebony is an upscale, high-density wood that is still used in modern production.
- Brazilian Rosewood Rarity: It is highly restricted under CITES Appendix I, with logging prohibited since 1992. Only pre-ban or salvaged wood is legally available, making it far more expensive and scarce.
- Ebony Rarity: Various species (e.g., Gaboon, Macassar) are used, and while threatened, they are not as critically restricted as Brazilian rosewood. New, sustainable sources like "Cruella Cam Ebony" are actively used to mitigate scarcity.
- Usage & Characteristics: Brazilian rosewood is cherished for its resonant tone and rich, varied figuring in guitars. Ebony is favored for its hardness (over 3000 on the Janka scale, compared to rosewood's ~1600–2000) and smooth, dark, dense feel.
While both are premier materials, Brazilian rosewood is generally regarded as much harder to acquire and significantly more valuable due to its legally restricted status.
