Back in 2000, I purchased a very nicely figured turning blank of burl desert ironwood for myself to make a trumpet call. At the time, I had to have that particular blank...it was a beautiful piece of burl, and the color was exceptional. If I remember correctly, I got to enjoy the color and figure for maybe 2-3 years. Today if you handled the call, you would probably think the wood was African blackwood. The rosewoods are prone to darkening, but other woods will darken, too. I like to think it builds character....along with the memories of all the hunts.