About Meerschaum Pipes

Meerschaum Pipes are the aristocracy of tobacco smoking pipes. Meerschaum has been used for the construction of pipe tobaccos dating back to the 1700s. During the 1800s, exquisite meerschaum pipes were produced in many European countries, including Vienna, Germany and Switzerland. Currently, all meerschaum pipes are produced in Turkey; generally near the city of Eskisehir in the plains west of the capital city of Ankara.

What is Meerschaum?

What is Meerschaum?

  • Meerschaum is hydrous magnesium silicate, an opoaque white-grey or cream-colored mineral in the soapstone family.
  • It's generally accepted chemical makeup is written as H4Mg;Si30 ,o, 3S .O^MgO^H^O, 2MgO, S,0;-14H20 or Mg4(H;0)3(OH),SitO,5-3H;0
  • Other names for Meerschaum include: Sepiolite, Venus of the Sea, White Goddess, sea foam, Aktas, Eskisehir's Stone, Lületaşı, Patal, Pierre de savon Maroc (rock of Morrocan sopa), and Vienna Stone.
  • What's up with all these names? More on this COMING SOON

Why Smoke a Meerschaum?

Why Smoke a Meerschaum? That is a great question. Why select a Meerschaum pipe over that made of briar, corncob or other material? Check out this list of reasons why:

  • Meerschaum is a light-weight stone; this gives you a very light pipe to hold in your mouth or in your hand. The weight difference is noticable when compared to similar sized briar pipes.
  • Meerschaum is a porous material; this feature will give you a much cleaner smoke since tars and other undesireable by-products of burning tobacco leaves are absorbed by the stone.
  • Meerschaum colors as it is used; as the tars and other byproducts are absorbed by the stone, they are drawn to the surface by the beeswax coating which colors the stone over time.
  • Meerschaum imparts no flavor on your tobacco; if you are testing a new tobacco or want to really know what a particular blend tastes like, there is nothing like a Meerschaum pipe to "speak the truth" rather than adding it's own taste and aroma to the mix like briar or other woods will
  • Meerschaum won't burn; since there is no chance of burning your pipe you don't need to create a cake of carbon on the inside of the bowl to protect it. This allows you to smoke many types of tobaccos in your pipe without worry about "polluting the cake" and muddling the taste/aroma of your fine tobaccos.

What Other Products Are Made From Meerschaum?

You'll find that meerschaum is used in a number of decorative products. Many of these are tobacco smoking related, others are not. Below you'll find links to other items that are crafted out of Meerschaum:

Meerschaum Cigar Holders - Terribly practical and and oh so affordable. Makes it a snap to not only smoke your favorite stogie all the way to the end, but also to free up your hands while smoking without destroying your cigar by chewing on it.

Meerschaum Pipe Rests - You don't have to give up your briars to enjoy the look of fine Turkish Meerschaum.

Meerschaum Ashtrays - Complete the look with a floral ashtray made in Turkey by skilled artists.

Meerschaum Table Lighters - Table lighters are less likely to disappear and these finely-carved lighters are worth their weight in gold.

Meerschaum Cigarette Holders - Nothing is more elegant than a beautifully hand-carved cigarette holder when you are stepping out for the evening.

Meerschaum Decorative Eggs - Whether smooth or carved, these make fantastic decorative accents around your home, just like designers do when decorating model homes

Meerschaum Decorative Boxes - Got some special little treasures you need to put away safe and sound but still want to keep them in site? Then this gorgeous hand-carve meerschaum box is just the thing.