Meerschaum pipes are the smoking tools of the high class. Meerschaum has been used to construct pipes ever since the 1700's. In the 1800's, pipes were produced in a wide variety of locations, including Vienna, Germany, and Switzerland. Today, most pipes are made in Turkey.
Vintage meerschaum pipes are highly collectible and a wide variety of antique meerschaum pipes can be found on eBay. We have listed some of the lates sales below. Use the links on the right to browse other types of meerschaum pipes.
What are Meerschaum Pipes Made from?
Meerschaum is a soft white mineral that is sometimes found floating in the Black Sea. The German word Meerschaum means "Sea Foam". Meerschaum can be white, gray, or a cream color. The mineral is somewhat fragile and can be scratched with a nail, so be careful with your meerschaum pipe.
Why Smoke from a Meerschaum Pipe?
Since meerschaum is a light weight mineral, the pipe is light weight and easy to hold in your mouth. The stone is pourous and will absorb the tar and other by-products from the tobacco leaves. The stone will not add any flavor to your smoking experience, so meerschaum pipes are great for getting the true flavor of whatever you are smoking.
How to Clean a Meerschaum Pipe
A Meerschaum pipe is very fragile, as it is made of soft stone. You can gently scrape the inside of the bowl with a butter knife, but be very careful. To clean the stem, it is best to use a pipe cleaner, but a cotton swab q-tip might also work. Only clean your meerschaum pipe when it has cooled and never tap it on a hard surface. It is best to clean it often and to not let a cake build up on the pipe.
What Else is Meerschaum Used to Make?
Meerschaum is used to make a number of other products, many of which are tobacco related. You will find meerschaum is used to make the following items: meerschaum cigar holders, meerschaum ashtrays, meerschaum cigarette holders, and meerschaum decorative boxes - just to name a few.