Meerschaum . . as natural
blocks is
- a soft, white, heat-resistant
mineral
- a hydrous magnesium silicate H4Mg2Si3O10 and used
for tobacco pipes, etc. (1)
- fossilized remains of the sea-animals that lived
millions of years ago,
- mined from 250 to 300 feet under the ground surface,
in irregular forms and sizes,
- offers as a pipe " cool " and " dry
" smoke with a flavour which is unrivaled by any other
pipe substance, and
- its high porosity acts as "natural
filter" allows to absorb the nicotin. . that is why
it takes a rich brown color as used
(1) Webster's New World Collage
The best quality of meerschaum in blocks are extracted nowhere
in the world but only in Turkey.
Whereas the lower qualities do not absorb the nicotin as the
above ones. Though the pressed meerschaum do not absorb at
all.
About 200 years ago, the first ever meerschaum-pipe was
carved by a certain shoe-maker called Kovacs in Budapest.
Before than nobody knew about this mineral, which could be
excellently carved to make pipes.
Eversince "carving" has become almost an
art.
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