 Meerschaum PipesMeerschaum is unique among pipes. Its mysterious properties make it a perfect smoke and, at the same time, a work of art; a pipe highly prized by the Connoisseur and beginning smoker alike. Meerschaum is a German word meaning sea foam. The geologist knows the light, porous Meerschaum as hydrous magnesium silicate. The pipe smoker knows it as the perfect material for providing a cool, dry, flavorful smoke.
Meerschaum stones are graded into five categories with twelve qualities in each. Grading is based on size, density, color, and homogeneity. The manufacturer splits the raw Meerschaum into smaller pieces for fashioning into pipes. The Meerschaum blocks are then soaked in water for 15 to 30 minutes to further soften the material and are then ready to be carved.
Meerschaum is mined in up to 450 feet of clay, sand, and gravel near Eskishehir, Turkey and in Tanzania, Africa.
A Meerschaum pipe is fitted with the stem or mouthpiece. Stems used to be made of pure amber. Today, amber-colored lucite is used almost exclusively. Pure amber is fine for collectors pipes, but for the steady smoker, lucite is much better because it is stronger, more resilient, and more comfortable in the mouth.
Meerschaum pipes coloring is largely determined by the waxing. The pipes are dipped in molten bees-wax as many as 8 times to ensure proper coloring.
For reference, all pipes are photographed on 1" x 1" grid.
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