meerschaum

[prettygoodword]

meerschaum (MEER-shawm) - n., a white clayey mineral, also known as sepiolite (Mg₄Si₆O₁₅(OH)₂·6H₂O), chiefly used for making smoking pipes; a pipe or cigarette holder made of this.


Although available elsewhere, primarily mined in Turkey. As pipe material, it absorbs moisture and tobacco tar, giving a dry, flavorful smoke, and because it's a soft stone, it carves well -- not to mention mellows into a beautiful amber color. It floats on water and is sometimes found on the Black Sea, looking suggestively like sea foam, from whence its name, from German, literally sea-foam (adopted mid-18th century).

---L.

Comments

[mount-oregano.livejournal.com]

There are also major meerschaum mines in Madrid province.

[prettygoodword.livejournal.com]

Who picked up the market slack, I as understand it, when Turkey stopped exporting so much in order to boost the local industry.

---L.