Well Dennis, Ive smoked it 6 times already and it is starting to turn color already. Some Meers turn a yellowish color first, some turn a brownish color first but the BEST quality ones turn a pinkish color first....they all end up a golden brown. Ill have you know that this one is turning PINK!!!!WOOOOOHOOOOO!!! That means it is of the highest quality. Also the fact that it has already started turning color means it is high quality. Another way to tell high quality is by the weight, the lighter the better....this one, without the stem, is feather light!!! After talking with some friends "in the know" we are surprised it doesnt have a makers name, but some think this is even better, some of the best Meers dont have any names, just marks.....this one has 3 little circles on the bottom, thats a mark if you ask me. No matter what, this is a very high quality, true Lattice carved Meer, I couldnt be happier.
By true lattice carved I mean that some of the lesser carved lattice pipes just have the circle pattern carved into the surface. This one acctually has little windows cut into the Meerschaum, which when you look into the little holes you see a gap between the outer "cage" and the inner bowl, it looks like the inner bowl was made seperate from the cage then put together......but NO, its all one block. I was assured that only the BEST carvers can do this type of carving. I would have never been able to afford a Meer of this quality.....my buddys are jealous!!!!! and I love it!!!!!
Dennis Rocks!!!