Wood Species Help Please  

They sure look like rosewood to me! What makes you think they aren't?

I second that.

3rd.

Thanks for the comments!
I asked for expert opinions because it just doesn't quite look or feel like the other examples of rosewood housewares that I have around to compare with and the designer also did a lot of small items in teak.
The wood feels less dense and appears grainier (?) than all of the rosewood grinders, trays and boxes I have. I thought I would check in with you all before I claimed it was one thing or the other.
Thanks again!

Check out this site which I think is about the best for identifying wood species:
http://www.hobbithouseinc.com/personal/woodpics/
He also has an article just about rosewood, including a paragraph about the vairation in this species:
http://www.hobbithouseinc.com/personal/woodpics/_discussion_rosewoods.htm
He talks about rosewood having a somewhat open grain and fillers being used, so maybe the pieces your'e comparing to have filled grain. I know I've seen a lot of rosewood furniture with super-smooth finishes; those probably have grain fillers.

I second what Spanky said again.
And I will add to it that "rosewood" as used in conjunction with Scandinavian furniture is generally taken to mean "Palisander" or "Brazilian Rosewood", or "Rio Rosewood," whose scientific name is Dalbergia nigra. However, "rosewood" more properly understood actually means any of the woods in the genus Dalbergia, and there are quite a few. And there is even more variation across the entire genus.
If we have assumed that this is a sort of limited edition piece in a fancier wood than teak, there is really no reason to assume it has to be Dalbergia nigra rosewood. It could really be any of the rosewoods. The Indian rosewoods and Cocobolo come to mind first as species that would have been easier to purchase, as opposed to say Yucatan Rosewood.
If you are serious about identifying it as a rosewood, there are test like fluorescence and scent (the scent of roses, hence the name).

Fascinating! I'm now rubbing and sniffing all of my wood for a whiff if roses.
Spanky - those pictures on the website are great, thanks!
Leif: I found this: http://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/distinguishing-brazilian-rose... and it gives instruction for fluorescence testing, I'm considering it (I might be able to get some shavings from the cavity).
Thanks for your further explanations. Even though the info is out there, sometimes the questions to ask are not clear - you've both been very helpful!