i have asked 5 woodworkers and rec'd 3 votes bad idea (it will brown up in about 5 years or so) and the other 2 said it will be fine
 
I am making a keepsake box for my daughter-and I am a newbie at these things.
i like the warm look of an oil finish-but I am concerned this will brown up- anybody know? sorry for the complete non-guitar topic but it sort of ties in with guitar (finishing and woods)
many thanks in advance.

I don't know about purple heart, but years ago I stripped my Fender bass and refinished it with tung oil. It has been more than 5 years and both the finish and the wood are still the same. No fading, browning or color change of any sort.
 
Hope this helps!
 
Paul

Exposure to light will brown out purpleheart to some degree even under a polyester finish. I wouldn't worry about it. Even if it does fade to brown, it will be a purplish-brown that you can restore to violet with a light sanding and a fresh coat.
 
If you're going to oil, I suggest using a polymerized tung oil. Tung oil alone doesn't really fully cure and may get a little gummy.  

thanks paul and mica-I have been reading up on how some companies are branding products as tung oil, but in fact they are actually wiping varnishes and such-so much to learn
 
I like the look of Stoney's brown bass-is that a polymerized tung oil??-Mica any suggested brands?
 
thanks!

Hi Googe,
 
I'm not a woodworker but working around the house with woods I see that light is the reason for the changing of the colour. For outside work on woods there exist products (varnishes) with a kind of UV-filtering characteristics. F.i. we have a brand called here in Belgium Tri -metal (I forgot the type) that is used on boats. Not what you call a instrument but hey ... I'm just trying to help (I'm not even a boat-builder).
My bass also changed colour yet comparing the state I received it 6 years ago. Well ... I've changed too so ... aging and his consequences is something I accept for evrything..
CU
 
Paul