Stainless steel revolvers are enhanced by dark wood. That is my personal opinion, of course, and I've been wrong before.
I put Ahrends boot grips on my 3" 686. I was able to get a set of coco bolo grips, which is a variety of rosewood. Thanks to international intrigue, coco bolo is now listed as "endangered" and no longer available. It has been replaced, more or less, by moradillo wood, which I find nearly as attractive.
I prefer both to american walnut, which lacks the pronounced grain, luster and undertones, and has rather coarse, open grain.
Ahrends Grips : Woods
My favorite for a blue SAA is walnut or simulated ivory, never pearl. because I think it looks more historical.