Like many other tropical woods, it is so heavy the logs can hardly float in water. The single most desireable feature of rosewood is its exquisite color and its exotic patterning. The color ranges from deep purple black through dark chocolate red with ebony colored steaking. It has striking, wild, wavy markings, often mirror-imaged like a Rorschack blot test. This actually adds to its prestige and excitement.
Brazilian rosewood is very rare and very expensive.
It had its heyday in the mid 1800's when it was available and somewhat affordable. Today it is too expensive. Compare the prices of Brazilian rosewood with teak. In thirty years teak has not quite doubled in price. The plight of rosewood, today, serves as a forerunner of what will happen to most other exotic species without careful international planning.