Sure.... The masters in Turkey have a special way to filter beeswax and make it white.
I have no idea how they do it, may be a secret. But when the meerschaum pipe is all done,
they cork or plug the bowl and shank and put it in hot wax. (Not actually boiling, but
hot). It seals the pores and enhances the coloring process as you smoke it over the years.
The beeswax pulls the tars to the surface of the pipe.
In the darker pipes you see that are new, never been smoked, some makers use raw beeswax,
still has the tan or brown color. It gives the pipe a darker color from the beginning.
My basket weave pipe that Ulrich commented on came pretty dark already. I wish I could
claim that I smoked it to that rich color, but it has stayed move evenly colored than some
others.
TopD
