One of the joys of owning and smoking a meerschaum pipe is watching it slowly change color, from a milky white of a virgin pipe to the rich, warm amber or dark golden-brown that comes with time and enjoyment.

What color is meerschaum?

One of the joys of owning and smoking a meerschaum pipe is watching it slowly change color, from a milky white of a virgin pipe to the rich, warm amber or dark golden-brown that comes with time and enjoyment.

How can you tell if a meerschaum pipe is real?

Determining meerschaum pipe quality The quality of meerschaum can be distinguished by testing its porosity. Rub a wet finger across the meerschaum, high quality meerschaum will absorb the moisture; low quality meerschaum will not.

Are meerschaum pipes marked?

Some meerschaum pipe artisans were known to sign their creations with their marks or signatures carved into the pipe itself, but not all of them did.

Do meerschaum pipes need breaking in?

Do I have to break in my Meerschaum pipe? No. Since Meerschaum does not burn as briar does, no protective carbon cake is needed on the inside of the bowl. To the contrary, the cleaner you keep your Meerschaum, the better it will smoke.

Do meerschaum pipes ghost?

They do not ghost. At all. Having said that, if you do not clean them (warm water under the tap and then allow to dry) you might get residual crud.

What should I look for in a meerschaum pipe?

Making sure your pipe is carved from block meerschaum is the single best way to ensure a quality experience. The Mouthpiece – Before you purchase a meerschaum pipe take a good look at the mouthpiece. If it is a solid yellow color, it’s likely a cheap plastic mouthpiece the manufacturer used to save money.

How can I tell if block meerschaum is pressed?

Lick your finger, touch the inside of the (unsmoked) bowl. If it feels sticky, it’s block. If it doesn’t, it’s pressed.

Are meerschaum pipes fragile?

Meerschaum pipes are very fragile, and this is due to their composition, primarily hydrated magnesium silicate. Magnesium doesn’t add strength, and the oxygen and hydrogen don’t make it cool.

What is block meerschaum?

Turkish Block Meerschaum has been renowned since the 1600s as the incomparable material for the world’s finest smoking pipes. Meerschaum is lightweight, incombustible and very porous. It gives the truest taste of your tobacco, while providing a cool dry smoke.

Can you buy meerschaum?

BUY MEERSCHAUM PIPES, TOBACCO PIPES, AND MORE… Royal Meerschaum is owned and operated by the Korn family, who have been importing Hand Carved Meerschaum Pipes directly from Turkey for over forty years.