What is Dalbergia retusa, Dalbergia retusa rosewood!

When it comes to red rosewood, which one comes to mind first? Big red rosewood? White rosewood? Flowery rosewood? Don't forget, there's also South American red rosewood!

Its scientific name is Dalbergia ertusa, its Latin name is Dalbergia ertusa, and its commercial name is cocobollo.

The material is in no way inferior to the big red rosewood (Dalbergia cochinchinensis), and is an important member of the red rosewood category among the five genera and eight categories in the national standard of "Redwood"!

It’s also a rosewood with a story!

1. About Dalbergia retusa

The reason why Dalbergia retusa is not as well-known as Dalbergia cochinchinensis is simply because it grows in Central and South America, which is far away from China. China discovered and utilized it relatively late.

In Central and South America, Dalbergia retusa is called the royal wood by the locals and can only be used by the noble and rare royal family.

At present, the main production areas of Dalbergia retusa in the Chinese market are Mexico, Panama and Nicaragua. Among them, the Dalbergia retusa produced in Mexico is considered to have the best material, oiliness and texture, so the price is also more than 40,000 yuan!

Macroscopic characteristics:

Shape: The diameter of most Dalbergia concave is 20-30 cm, and a few can reach 40-50 cm. There are often cavities in the center of the wood (most obvious in logs).

Color: Dalbergia retusa wood is yellow-red when first sliced. Due to its abundant oil content, its surface quickly oxidizes, turning it orange-red. After three months, the color of the wood stabilizes.

Smell: Dalbergia has a strong sour aroma when sliced.

Texture: Because the pores of Dalbergia rosea contain black gum, a large number of black lines and black spots can be seen on the radial and tangential sections.

Material: Dalbergia cochinchinensis wood is hard, fine, and oily (stronger than Dalbergia cochinchinensis), with a density of 0.98-1.22g/cm3

2. Dalbergia concave, the beauty you can’t imagine

If words are not enough for you to understand Dalbergia retusa, then the beautiful pictures below will let you feel the beauty of Dalbergia retusa nakedly.

The slightly concave rosewood grain seems to be telling its own story!

This is the common slightly concave rosewood material on the current market. Don’t underestimate this material. The price of any ton is more than 30,000 yuan.

The warm and elegant slightly concave rosewood Ming-style sofa

Noble and elegant slightly concave rosewood dining table

3. The future of Dalbergia retusa

Since I first encountered Dalbergia revoluta in 2008, the market for Dalbergia revoluta has experienced numerous ups and downs, but this has in no way affected its rising value. From a relatively low price of 18,000 yuan per ton in 2008 to over 35,000-45,000 yuan per ton today, its price has doubled in just ten years. This is a testament to its material and market potential.

Of course, I don't deny that following the major adjustments in the domestic timber market since 2014, Dalbergia retusa, severely damaged by the pandemic, has yet to fully recover. The limited supply is a major concern for industry insiders. However, despite this significant loss, prices haven't plummeted, a fact that shouldn't be overlooked. Some industry insiders even believe that under the strict regulations under Appendix II of CITES, Dalbergia retusa prices may continue to rise.

In 2013, Dalbergia retusa was listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Species listed in Appendix II can only be traded internationally in small quantities under quotas, meaning that trade requires an import or export license or re-export certificate. This created significant market potential for Dalbergia retusa, leading to a rapid price increase. From 18,000 yuan/ton at the beginning of the year to 50,000 yuan/ton, this was a record high. Despite subsequent price corrections, the market remains high.

Currently, the Guangdong market price of high-quality materials produced in Nicaragua is 35,000-42,000 yuan/ton, and the price of high-quality materials produced in Mexico is around 46,000 yuan/ton.

So if you have the money and nowhere else to go, buy it while it's cheap! Of course, remember to choose good ingredients and high-quality products!