A Unique Way To Enjoy Tobacco

Pipes have been around for hundreds of years. Even though the majority of pipes are manufactured from briar, meerschaum pipes are particularly popular with collectors and enthusiasts alike. Meerschaum is a very unique material. It consists of millions of little sea creatures that were deposited on the sea floor, and formed this magnesium silicate thousands of years ago. The first pipes of this kind date back to the early 1700s. Smoking Meerschaum Pipes is a very different experience, even to the seasoned pipe smoker.

Meerschaum is mined in Turkey and Tanzania, Africa, but the pipes are only hand-carved in Turkey. Turkey is famous all over the world for these distinguished pipes. The mining process itself is very labor intensive. The meerschaum that is chosen to be carved into a true work of art has to be of superior quality. Only about 20 percent of the material is suitable for pipes. The color, density, and homogeneity of the meerschaum are very important to the overall quality of the carved pipe. The most commonly seen color of meerschaum is a creamy-white, but a grayish and yellowish color also exist.

 Before a carver can work on this material, the meerschaum has to be washed and soaked. Soaking softens it and allows the carver to use more intricate designs for the final pipe. The art of carving is often handed down from generation to generation. Whole families are involved in this type of business in one form or another. Younger generations of carvers incorporate more modern designs, even though the traditional designs are still very popular.

These modern designs appeal to a younger generation of pipe smokers, who ordinarily would not consider a meerschaum pipe with a traditional design. Smoking a pipe is no longer reserved for the older gentleman in the smoking jacket. Modern designs include skulls, flowers, animals, and many more. The traditional captain’s head, or sultan’s head, appeal mostly to the older generation, and not so much to the young pipe enthusiast.


Smoking Meerschaum Pipes is a very special experience. As most pipe smokers will attest, the smoke is much cooler than the smoke a typical briar pipe produces. Just like the briar pipes, meerschaum pipes have to be cured. This is usually done by smoking a couple of loads of tobacco. The golden color of this type of pipe is achieved over time through the natural oils contained in pipe tobacco. Darker colors are usually caused by oilier tobaccos and are very sought after.


Even though this kind of pipe requires a little extra care due to the fragile nature of the material, pipe smokers and collectors enjoy the unique experience and the craftsmanship of these pipes. Smoking Meerschaum Pipes definitely delivers a one of a kind smoking experience.