COCOBOLO: Is a tropical hardwood belonging to the genus Dalbergia, listed as an exotic and precious wood. Only the heartwood is used; typically yellow, orange, red, and shades of brown with streaks of black or purple, often with a figuring of darker irregular traces weaving through the wood. The sapwood (not often used) is typically a very pale yellow, with a sharp boundary between itself and the heartwood. The heartwood changes color after being cut.

Is rated as very durable and resistant to insect attack. Its natural oils are reported to give it good resistance to degrade from wet/dry cycles.

It is very hard, fine textured, and dense; but is easily machined, although due to the abundance of natural oils, the wood tends to clog abrasives and fine-toothed saw blades.

Because it stands up well to repeated handling and exposure to water, a common use is in gun grips and knife handles. Due to its density and hardness, even a large block of the cut wood will produce a clear musical tone if struck.

Can be polished to a lustrous, glassy finish to produce fine furniture, musical instruments, turnings, and other small specialty objects.

Cocobolo is in limited supply, it is also in relatively high demand (for ornamental purposes), and is likely to be quite expensive.