kashmir, 500.00 is a lot for a pipe. Yes I spent way more on my tv's but those I use every day and they are not as much as a luxury item in my mind (a great tv is a necessity for me). A pipe at that price range will not guarantee a great smoke and there is risk involved. Yes it may be pretty and one of a kind, but spending 500.00 on one pipe to many people is not worth it. Speaking for myself, I would not spend 500.00 on an estate piece especially when I can get great smoking pipes for a lot less money. Everyone has their price thresholds when it comes to purchasing pipes and there are not that many where 500.00 is a consideration.