Meerschaum, fundamentally, is a mineral composed of a combination of rock fragments. Its use spans a wide range and it has been utilized in numerous fields from the past to the present. Specifically, Meerschaum is frequently chosen in the crafting of various accessories, including pipes. The city where it’s most abundantly found in Turkey is Eskişehir, making it commonly known among the public as the “Eskişehir Stone”. ue to its prevalence in Eskişehir, it has been crafted by artisans there and eported to Europe. Moreover, there eists a Meerschaum museum in Eskişehir. Following its eportation to Europe and growing intrigue, Meerschaum has been referred to by several names.
What Are the Benefits of Meerschaum?
The benefits of Meerschaum can be listed as follows;
- Contributes to the proper functioning of thyroid glands.
- Strengthens and rejuvenates memory, helping to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, it is believed that Alzheimer’s patients may remember forgotten things thanks to Meerschaum.
- Regulates cholesterol, aiding in lowering high cholesterol levels.
- Is beneficial for the skin and contributes to the treatment of skin disorders.
- Helps the immune system stay strong, protecting the body from potential diseases.
- Contributes to the alleviation of bodily pains due to various problems.
- Helps reduce radiation emitted by electronic devices.
What is the Color of Meerschaum?
Known as sepiolite, meerschaum is white in color but it’s not a pure white, rather it has a yellowish tint.
What Is Meerschaum Used For?
Those who use Meerschaum tend to prefer it in accessories. Its uses can be listed as follows;
- Enables effective and positive thinking.
- Facilitates the increased secretion of the happiness hormone.
Although Meerschaum has benefits for human health, its psychological effects are not well known. It is widely used in accessories like prayer beads, pipes, earrings, necklaces, and rings. Various materials are preferred in the making of accessories using Meerschaum, including rough knives, drills, lathes, and carving knives.
What is the Meaning of Meerschaum?
With names like Sepiolite and Meerschaum, the meaning of Meerschaum could be described as “sea foam.” Aside from its ability to aid in the secretion of the happiness hormone and facilitate positive thinking, it’s not considered to have as significant a psychological impact as other natural stones. Therefore, it hasn’t been given a naming based on its energy. The reason for its name Sepiolite is because Meerschaum is one of the sepiolite varieties.
What Are the Features of Meerschaum?
The features of Meerschaum can be listed as follows;
- Resistant to high heat.
- Does not break when dropped.
- Disintegrates when it interacts with water.
- Has a soft teture.
- Changes color when eposed to high heat.
- Its color can be described as white or cream.
- It has a porous structure.
How Can You Tell if Meerschaum is Real?
To determine whether Meerschaum is genuine , subjecting the stone to high heat may suffice. Meerschaum remains unchanged and unaffected by high heat. If the color of the stone being tested changes when eposed to high temperatures, it is definitively fake. Additionally, when Meerschaum gets wet and then dries, it loses its moist nature.
Authentic and pure Meerschaum softens and has the risk of falling apart when immersed in water. Although these methods are used to detect fake stones, considering the risks, detailed inspections by eperts may be preferable.
How Is Meerschaum Cleaned?
Cleaning Meerschaum may involve methods that are usually not recommended for natural stones. ue to its use in products like pipes, Meerschaum can be cleaned with the help of cologne. Of course, this is not the most recommended method. Still, a pipe that has yellowed over time and needs cleaning may be whitened and returned to its former appearance with the aid of cologne.
While water and earth can easily be used in the cleaning of many natural stones, Meerschaum, which has the risk of disintegrating when interacting with water, is not recommended to be cleaned with water. If genuine Meerschaum needs to be cleaned with water, it’s important to dry it immediately afterwards.