Meerschaum Pipes

Meerschaum (Greek, MEER-SHAUM)pipes are a type of tobacco pipe. The design is similar to any other smoking pipe. A chamber known as a bowl is used to hold the substance being smoked, most typically tobacco. It is not typically used for other substances such as cannabis because this can in fact ruin a tobacco pipe.The bowl is linked to a mouth piece known as the bit. Meerschaum pipes, however, stray from the traditional design in that they are made of a particular substance called meerschaum. Meerschaum pipes actually came before their more common cousin, the briar pipe, dating back to the early 1700s. After briar was discovered however, meerschaum became much more of an expensive collectors item.
Meerschaum (Mineral)
Meerschaum pipes are popular for a number of reasons. Their color is quite unlike the more typical briar or corncob pipes. This can be credited to the material from which they are made, namely meerschaum. Meerschaum is a substance found primarily in , Turkey but has also been known to exist in a darker, more tan hue in some African mines. Meerschaum is a soft white, porous material. The name "meerschaum" is a German word meaning sea-foam. This can be attributed to the mineral's white color, but could also be related to the fact that the land in which meerschaum is found was, at one time, primarily covered by sea water. Also known as sepiolite, Meerschaum is a very porous material. It actually captures the flavor of the tobacco being smoked because it "breathes" well. This gives the smoke a more focused taste while adding in small amounts of previous flavors. This also prevents the smoker from having to relight quite as often. Briar is known to give of a much darker taste when smoked. The wood interferes more with the taste of the tobacco, a quality which many pipe users prefer.
Mining
Meerschaum is mined primarily in , Turkey. The mines are family owned businesses and the material is significantly hard to find elsewhere. Meerschaum is German for "sea foam". Another reason it is called this it because it is thought to have been formed by sea bubbles being trapped under ground thousands of years ago which hardened over time. The mineral is mined as a large block. A lift is used reach a depth of a around 170 meters (557.7 ft)^2. The reason for this depth is that meerschaum located higher up in the ground is harder and very bumpy in shape. The lower the metaerial is mined, the smoother and softer it becomes and thus makes it easier to carve. After reaching the desired 170 meter depth another 35 meters is dug and filled with 1000 cubic meters of water. After being chiseled out of the rock, the meerschaum is sent up a lift to be washed and carved.
Carving
The Meerschaum is brought up to the carver and given a general "pipe" shape. Still very block-like at this point, the carver slims down the pipe and bores out the bowl and the mouth piece hole. At this point one of two things can happen. The pipe is either smoothed down completely and sent away to be sold or it is intricately carved into a desired shape. Because meerschaum is so easy to work, unbelievable detail can be achieve. Common designs are basic, but incredibly intricate lattice structures, flowers, claws, and even faces. Meerschaum pipes are truly works of art.
The carving process can make the pipes fairly expensive, ranging anywhere from $30-$460. Smokers however willingly still buy them for their smoke-ability and artistic value. Also meerschaum's porous nature filters 70% of the nicotine from tobacco, making it an excellent absorbent. Even, however, after the carving process is finished and the pipe is already purchased, the smoker can work to tan it. This is done by keeping the pipe at a hot temperature for an extended amount of time, but will also happen naturally over time. This means that the meerschaum pipe almost grows with the smoker for as long as he or she has it.
Meerschaum in Popular Culture
A very complex and well carved meerschaum can be seen in the movie National Treasure.

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