3
Meerschaum reserves are sometimes located below
groundwater levels, presenting a significant challenge in
pumping out the underground water. Since meerschaum
mining is still conducted using traditional and highly
primitive methods, some meerschaum deposits remain
inaccessible.
Extracted meerschaum nodules are initially stored in
the mines in a humid environment, covered with wet sacks
to prevent them from losing structural water. They are then
immersed in water to wash away the soil on their surface.
Once cleaned, the nodules are dried and prepared for pro-
cessing (Uz, 2013).
The natural humidity held within the porous structure
of meerschaum helps with its cleaning while still in the
soil and makes it easier to work with once extracted. After
drying, whether processed or unprocessed, meerschaum
becomes lighter and significantly harder. The ideal physical
properties of high-quality meerschaum are
1. A very white appearance,
2. Ease of chipping,
3. No internal spaces, foreign particles, or capillaries,
4. The ability to regain its original softness when
rehydrated after drying,
5. Stability in volume with no deformation during
wetting and drying.
The properties mentioned above are fully present in
nodular meerschaum. Layered meerschaum, while chip-
pable when moist, disperses in water once dried. Any dry-
ing cracks do not remain visible on its surface. However,
creating pipes and decorative items from selected pieces of
layered meerschaum is rarely feasible.
After years of study, meerschaum has been categorized
into seven types based on characteristics such as size, color,
porosity, vein structure, and weight as shown in Table 1.
Each type is further divided into various subclasses.
All varieties, except for the thin class, are further divided
into 12 additional subcategories. The types are ranked as
follows: those numbered 1 to 7 are considered high quality,
those numbered 7 to 10 are of medium quality, and those
numbered 10 to 12 are classified as low quality. These parts
are processed to produce ornamental goods (Uz, 2013).
Meerschaum carving is a demanding yet rewarding
craft that requires skill, experience, and patience. The carv-
ing process is typically done using hand tools crafted by
the artisans themselves, and selecting a design that comple-
ments the natural shape of the stone is crucial to minimizing
waste. Each artisan develops their own tools and tech-
niques, using specially shaped knives, cutters, carvers, peel-
ers, and sculpting instruments. When it comes to design,
observation, and imagination are the primary sources of
inspiration for the artisans. After the design and carving are
completed, the meerschaum is dried for an extended period
using indirect heat. It is then heated as needed after sanding
and coated with whitened beeswax for glazing, followed by
polishing through rubbing (Figure 4).
In recent years, many meerschaum artisans, facing vari-
ous challenges, have had to close their workshops or relo-
cate their businesses to their homes. Despite the decline in
production and ongoing difficulties, efforts have been made
to revive the popularity of this craft through cultural events
and activities.
ECONOMIC IMPACT AND CULTURAL
SIGNIFICANCE
Festivals have been organized to raise awareness of meer-
schaum-type sepiolite both domestically and interna-
tionally. One such event, the “International White Gold
Table 1. Varieties and sizes of meershaum
No Class Name Place of Use
Number of
Pieces in
Standart
Coffer
1 Sorted Pipe 35–40
2 Unit Trinket and pipe 60–70
3 Cotton Lady pipe (best) 100–150
4 Grained Lady pipe 200–230
5 Medium Earing, necklace,
cigarette holder
300–400
6 Bulk Prayer beads 500–700
7 Thin Nicotine absorbing
lining
Very small piece
Figure 4. Meerschaum processing stages
Meerschaum reserves are sometimes located below
groundwater levels, presenting a significant challenge in
pumping out the underground water. Since meerschaum
mining is still conducted using traditional and highly
primitive methods, some meerschaum deposits remain
inaccessible.
Extracted meerschaum nodules are initially stored in
the mines in a humid environment, covered with wet sacks
to prevent them from losing structural water. They are then
immersed in water to wash away the soil on their surface.
Once cleaned, the nodules are dried and prepared for pro-
cessing (Uz, 2013).
The natural humidity held within the porous structure
of meerschaum helps with its cleaning while still in the
soil and makes it easier to work with once extracted. After
drying, whether processed or unprocessed, meerschaum
becomes lighter and significantly harder. The ideal physical
properties of high-quality meerschaum are
1. A very white appearance,
2. Ease of chipping,
3. No internal spaces, foreign particles, or capillaries,
4. The ability to regain its original softness when
rehydrated after drying,
5. Stability in volume with no deformation during
wetting and drying.
The properties mentioned above are fully present in
nodular meerschaum. Layered meerschaum, while chip-
pable when moist, disperses in water once dried. Any dry-
ing cracks do not remain visible on its surface. However,
creating pipes and decorative items from selected pieces of
layered meerschaum is rarely feasible.
After years of study, meerschaum has been categorized
into seven types based on characteristics such as size, color,
porosity, vein structure, and weight as shown in Table 1.
Each type is further divided into various subclasses.
All varieties, except for the thin class, are further divided
into 12 additional subcategories. The types are ranked as
follows: those numbered 1 to 7 are considered high quality,
those numbered 7 to 10 are of medium quality, and those
numbered 10 to 12 are classified as low quality. These parts
are processed to produce ornamental goods (Uz, 2013).
Meerschaum carving is a demanding yet rewarding
craft that requires skill, experience, and patience. The carv-
ing process is typically done using hand tools crafted by
the artisans themselves, and selecting a design that comple-
ments the natural shape of the stone is crucial to minimizing
waste. Each artisan develops their own tools and tech-
niques, using specially shaped knives, cutters, carvers, peel-
ers, and sculpting instruments. When it comes to design,
observation, and imagination are the primary sources of
inspiration for the artisans. After the design and carving are
completed, the meerschaum is dried for an extended period
using indirect heat. It is then heated as needed after sanding
and coated with whitened beeswax for glazing, followed by
polishing through rubbing (Figure 4).
In recent years, many meerschaum artisans, facing vari-
ous challenges, have had to close their workshops or relo-
cate their businesses to their homes. Despite the decline in
production and ongoing difficulties, efforts have been made
to revive the popularity of this craft through cultural events
and activities.
ECONOMIC IMPACT AND CULTURAL
SIGNIFICANCE
Festivals have been organized to raise awareness of meer-
schaum-type sepiolite both domestically and interna-
tionally. One such event, the “International White Gold
Table 1. Varieties and sizes of meershaum
No Class Name Place of Use
Number of
Pieces in
Standart
Coffer
1 Sorted Pipe 35–40
2 Unit Trinket and pipe 60–70
3 Cotton Lady pipe (best) 100–150
4 Grained Lady pipe 200–230
5 Medium Earing, necklace,
cigarette holder
300–400
6 Bulk Prayer beads 500–700
7 Thin Nicotine absorbing
lining
Very small piece
Figure 4. Meerschaum processing stages