I bought my first pair, actually two pair, of bones in 1953. These means that they are old. They are bone, and play as brilliantly and crisp as when I got them. I love the variety of tones I can get by varying there pairs and positions. I have NO concerns about their duarabilty. They are real bone, and like me, brittle, crisp, with wonderful tones. CHEERS. Bob(deckman)Nelson