"Meerschaum has been called Venus of the Sea, White Goddess, sepiolite, sea-foam or froth, the Aristocrat of smoking substances! It has been identified as hydrous magnesium silicate, an opaque white-gray or cream colored mineral of the soapstone family. It has been written as H4Mg;Si30 ,o, 3S .O^MgO^H^O, 2MgO, S,0;-14H20 and even Mg4(H;0)3(OH),SitO,5-3H;0! Whatever its composition, meerschaum is not the bone of the sepia or cuttle fish, the residue or fusion of decomposed sea shells, petrified sea foam or a clay composition. It is a mineral! Mined 30 to 450 feet below the surface of the earth, the magnesium content provides strength while the hydrogen and oxygen contribute to its porosity. It is, in the words of one, “. . . soft and light as a fleeting dream, creamy, delicate and sweet as the complexion of young maidenhood.” -Benjamin Rapaport, A Complete Guide to Collecting Antique Pipes. 1979.Literally translated from German means "seafoam." This name reflects its characteristics of lightness in weight and whiteness in color. It is one of the most porous substances found in nature, will not burn out, and is considered by pipe smokers as the perfect material for a cool, dry smoke. Unlike Briar Wood pipes, Meerschaum is a mineral. (Hydrous Magnesium Silicate).
Today the highest quality Meerschaum deposits are not found near any body of water but, are found in only one area of the world, the open plains of central Turkey surrounding the small city of Eskisehir. Meerschaum is mined wet from depths of up to 500 feet and is bought by carvers in various size blocks or lumps called stones , then hand carved into what many consider one of the finest smoking pipes available.
Pipe Making
Since every
Meerschaum pipe we sell is individually hand carved, the first step is for the craftsmen to select only the stones which he feels to be of the finest quality based upon size of the stone, density, color, and homogeneity. The carvers then transform this block of raw stone into carvable pieces and using the same hand carving techniques which have been handed down from generation to generation create various styles of pipes from the elegant smooth shapes, to intricately carved designs. This makes
Meerschaum Pipes one of the most prestigious, enjoyable, and beautiful pipes you can own.
The final process in crafting a Meerschaum pipe is drying out excess moisture, fitting it with a custom stem, dipping it in a coating of special protective wax unique to each carver, and then polishing. Some pipes have been coated in wax an extra 2 or 3 times before it's final polishing. Some carvers use only one coat, some use more. This is another feature that can even make the color of a new pipe unique. As long as your hands are not excessively greasy or dirty, TOUCH YOUR PIPE , hold it proudly, it has been carved for you to enjoy its coolness of smoke and pride of ownership.
Coloring
Because of its natural porous nature, solid block
Meerschaum's most fascinating characteristic is its process of gradually changing colors from white to a golden deep cherry red or brown. Since each stone is unique unto itself, each pipe will color at various speeds and shades, I have seen pipes color in 2 months and some color in 12 months. It is impossible to tell just how long it will take your pipe to color. Some factors affecting this colorization vary from your particular smoking habits, different types of tobacco, to the amount of time you smoke your pipe. NOTE : solid block
Meerschaum will color more naturally . Myself and many other experts consider pressed, re-formed, or
Meerschaum lined pipes to be of lesser quality and should not be expected to have the same characteristics as Solid Block
Meerschaum . Re-formulated about 8 years ago, now pressed can actually be lighter then solid block. It is the reputation and guarantee received from the dealer or seller you buy from that is your guarantee of the highest quality Solid Block
Meerschaum Pipe.
Breaking In
No need to break in your new pipe. Unlike Briar, the natural mineral quality of
Meerschaum needs no caking to enjoy the true, pure taste of your favorite blend. Fill it gradually, remember it only needs to be filled half way. Now your ready to light it so strike a match or flick a lighter and apply the flame. As the heat from the flame comes in contact with the tobacco the tobacco will expand up towards the top of the bowl so grab your tamper and apply pressure to the smoldering tobacco, but don't stop puffing. CAUTION: Although the newer Jet Flame Lighters may be great for Cigars, DO NOT use these type of High Heat lighters with a pipe, they can overheat the bowl and ruin a pipe.
There are many misconceptions surrounding
Meerschaum pipes. Remember, just as no two pipes are exactly the same, no two pipe smokers are exactly the same. Don't be afraid to hold and handle your
Meerschaum pipe. Smoking your pipe is a traditional pleasure and watching it color adds to your enjoyment. Also, unlike Briar which must be dried after each smoke,
Meerschaum can be smoked many times a day because of its absorbing qualities. If your pipe becomes soiled or dirty, use cotton or a soft cloth with just a drop of after shave lotion or similar product containing a slight trace of clear alcohol and gently wipe it clean when the pipe is cool. Never boil or scrape your pipe. If a cake starts forming in your pipe, which is not unusual, lightly ream it out being careful not to scrape or dig into the pipe itself. Be gentle and use a pipe cleaner when cleaning inside the stem and shank. Most
Meerschaum Pipes now use a push-pull type tenon to connect the stem to the shank, remember to hold the shank and ALWAYS turn the stem CLOCKWISE while pulling out or pushing the stem back in.
For hundreds of years, Meerschaum Pipes have been known as the ultimate pipe for enjoying the pleasures of smoking. Because each Meerschaum Pipe is a hand-crafted work of art, it is passed on from generation to generation giving each a special pride of ownership.
Brief History