Craftsmen in Turkey have been fashioning mined blocks of meerschaum into highly decorative tobacco pipes for around 300 years. However, it was not until the early Victorian era that they became desirable collectors’ pieces as wealthy pipe smokers acquired multiple examples, both for show and for daily use. Meerschaum pipes remain popular with pipe smokers in the 21^st century but not all tobacco pipes being sold under this name are actually made from solid blocks of meerschaum. So before you invest in a new meerschaum pipe, read our guide to identifying genuine and fake examples.

Genuine vs. Fake Meerschaum Tobacco Pipes: How to Tell the Difference

Learn ways to differentiate authentic meerschaum pipes from knockoff versions, advantages of meerschaum pipes, and factors to consider before buying.

There are two main types of fake meerschaum pipes that are commonly found for sale today, both of which are fairly easy to distinguish from the genuine article if you know what to look for.

Pressed Resin Pipes – The simplest way to spot a fake meerschaum that is made from pressed resin is to check for a seam along the underside of the bowl. Genuine examples are carved from a solid block of meerschaum, which means they have no seams. If the pipe has a wooden stem rather than one carved from meerschaum, it is almost certainly made from pressed resin, or possibly pressed meerschaum, which brings us to the next category of fakes.

Pressed Meerschaum Pipes – Pressed meerschaum is made from the same mineral that is mined in Turkey but it consists of shavings and tiny pieces, which are glued together and pressed in a mold. Although it may sometimes look very similar to block meerschaum, it will not offer the same performance when smoked. If you are buying an antique pipe, one of the easiest ways to tell whether it is pressed or block meerschaum is to look at the color. Block meerschaum is quite porous and changes color with use. Over time, a genuine example will turn from a milky white color to amber or golden brown. The coloring is likely to be uneven and often starts from the bottom of the pipe, working its way up through years of use.

Another common tell when inspecting used fake examples is burn marks: block meerschaum does not burn.

Why Buy Meerschaum Tobacco Pipes?

Now you know how to identify a genuine example, you may be wondering why you might want to buy one in the first place? What is it about meerschaum, specifically solid blocks of the mineral, that makes it such a good material for pipes?

Aesthetic Considerations

There is no doubt that meerschaum’s enduring popularity has quite a lot to do with the intricate carving and beautiful coloring associated with the best quality examples sold by antique pipe dealers. And if smoking an antique pipe sounds like an unappealing idea, you can look forward to the coloring process when you acquire a brand new pipe and continue to use it for many years to come.

Pipes carved from the highest quality meerschaum are available in a bewildering array of different shapes and sizes today. Whether you like the idea of a classic sultan & eagle design or you’re looking for a pipe in the shape of a mermaid or a dolphin, you can find solid block meerschaum pipes that are a perfect match for your personal tastes.

Cleaner, More Neutral Tobacco Flavor

The majority of pipes sold today are made from briar, as has been the case since this wood was first adopted by French pipe makers in the mid to late 19^th century. While briar is certainly a fine material from which to make a pipe, it is known to impart a flavor to every tobacco that is smoked in it. Briar pipes' bowls will alter the flavor of all tobacco in a subtle manner. Some pipe smokers love the flavor that is imparted by a briar bowl but others prefer to taste just the tobacco itself, without any competing flavors added by the pipe. If you are one of these people then a meerschaum tobacco pipe will make an excellent addition to your regular rotation.

Whether it is worth investing in a pipe carved from a solid block of meerschaum as far as taste is concerned may depend on your personal smoking habits. The type of tobacco blends you smoke on a regular basis and the frequency with which you try new blends should both be considered when you are deciding whether to buy a meerschaum pipe.

If you normally smoke heavily-flavored blends such as cherry, vanilla or chocolate, you may not notice a great deal of difference when using a pipe made from meerschaum. On the other hand, if you enjoy English / Balkan blends that have complex flavor profiles, meerschaum could be the perfect choice for you.

Choosing a New Solid Meerschaum Pipe

As suppliers of retail and wholesale tobacco pipes in the United States, we have a great collection of solid meerschaum pipes from which to choose. When deciding which one to purchase first, we recommend focusing on the design, size and shape as you evaluate each model. For smokers who enjoy a long, relaxing bowl in the evening, a larger pipe will be most suitable. On the other hand, if you rarely spend more than ten minutes with a pipe in your mouth, a smaller meerschaum will be preferable. Whether you buy a small or large pipe, pick one that looks like it will be comfortable for you to hold.