If they are ornate they are prone toi chipping or a break if dropped. Solid, sparely embellished, they'll survive a drop on most hard surfaces with, maybe a scratch. Really no different than briar as a drop will somethimes in a broken pipe.
They moisture in the bottom of the bowl as partially what colors the mineral. The proper color, from inside to out, is from the liquids bleeding into the pores of substance.
Lot's of different smoking and cleaning techniques posted on various threads. I'm very "old school" with regard to cleaning, pare cake to nothing, keep dirty hands out of contact with the meer's surface. But, that's how I was taught almost sixty years ago.
Can't speak to today's makers. I haven't purchased a meerschaum in twenty or so years as nothing has caught my eye. I believe nine are all CAO's if memory serves.