on the left, fresh off the lathe and on the right, the same but aged for 10 days. Yep, that's right --- there has been absolutely no finish applied but 10 days of aging for cocobolo in particular makes for a big change in color.

also unfinished but aged for 10 days. The red/black wood is cocobolo and the yellow/black is bocote. The center is makore. This piece is going to get a candle-holder in the center, which is why the center appears flawed (it is going to get drilled out).

cocobolo, by the way, is a wood that is reputed to be difficult to glue but this piece gave me no trouble whatsoever; I DID glue immediately after rough sanding, and that may have helped.