Meerschaum and Calabash Pipes

Meerschaum is a natural mineral formed millions of years ago.

It is mined 20-80 meters below ground in Turkey and Tanzania, with the Tanzanian version being somewhat younger. It is a  complex magnesium silicate that contains 42.5% silicon, 42.5% magnesium and 15% clay, carbonic acid, and water - it is, so to speak, a very soft type of stone.

And it makes great tobacco pipes! There are those who religiously smoke nothing but Meerschaum pipes, claiming it provides a cleaner taste and experience, and they also greatly enjoy the fact that the material, when used for smoking, will change colour during the years.
It takes a long time but from its white beginnings it will move through phases of yellow and brown until it becomes almost completely black.