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What Are Meerschaum Pipes?

Meerschaum has been a prized material for making smoking pipes since smoking tobacco came to Europe. It is one of the first materials used for making pipes. Pipes made from meerschaum are prized objects and sold or passed down between generations. These pipes are not only utilitarian for smoking, but can also be valued works of art and put on display as such.
  1. Meerschaum

    • Meerschaum is a mineral found in several places, but the largest quantities are in Asia Minor and in the Eskisehir Province of Turkey. The name is German for sea foam or sea froth because people once thought the mineral to be compressed sea foam. Meerschaum is a form of the mineral sepiolite. It is the color of ivory, but can be tan, gray, pinkish and greenish or tinted with other colors. Some areas have meerschaum colored brown to black.

    Properties

    • Meerschaum is a soft, porous and lightweight mineral. Once the mineral is dried and processed, it is durable enough to make pipes and other smoking items. Meerschaum chips and powder are compressed and used to make pipes or other products. It is heavier than the original material when processed in this manner. In addition to pipes, it is used to make cigarette and cigar holders. Artists use meerschaum to make bracelets, earrings and other jewelry and ornaments.

    Carving

    • Meerschaum pipes are often elaborately carved.

      Because meerschaum is easy to carve, it became a popular material to use for pipes. A variety of knives, scrapers and files can work the material into a pipe. Meerschaum can produce elaborate sculptures. Pipes have eagle's claws holding the pipe bowl, portraits, engravings and other fanciful ideas carved on them. The artist's imagination is the only limit to these carvings and engravings.

    Meerschaum Pipes

    • A meerschaum pipe develops a darker color after smoking

      Because it is lightweight, porous and easily carved, meerschaum is a prized material for pipes. Briar pipes require a carbon buildup in the bowl to insulate the pipe from the tobacco. This keeps the smoke from taking on a wood flavor. Meerschaum doesn't need the insulation, and gives a pleasant taste without carbon insulation. Because it is porous, it absorbs some of the unpleasant properties of tobacco, but doesn't make tobacco safer. Meerschaum pipes take on the color of tobacco over time, and become a rich amber color. If touched by skin they will leave a fingerprint on the material. For this reason, some recommend using a glove or piece of leather when smoking to protect the bowl from this unwanted discoloring. Used pipes with a rich dark color are collector's items that bring high prices when sold.


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