Meerschaum << MIHR shuhm >> is a soft, whitish fibrous or flaky clay. Manufacturers use it to make tobacco pipes. Meerschaum is also called sepiolite. It is so light that it will float in water. In German, the word meerschaum means sea foam. The mineral gets its name because it floats and has the look of foam. Large quantities of meerschaum are found in Asia Minor. Lumps of it are found in masses of other types of clay. Meerschaum is a compound of magnesium, silicon, oxygen, and water. It is a water-bearing magnesium silicate.
Many smokers prefer meerschaum tobacco pipes. The bowls of these pipes are white when new. With careful use, the bowl slowly colors a rich brown. Meerschaum pipes break easily.
