What “block meerschaum” is

• Meerschaum is the trade name for compact, massive sepiolite (a hydrated magnesium silicate).

• “Block” meerschaum means pieces that come out as solid nodules/blocks (not pressed/bonded material). Those larger, sound nodules are the most valuable because they can be carved into pipes and ornaments.

Where block meerschaum mines are located

• The world’s best-known carving-grade meerschaum deposits are concentrated around Eskişehir Province, central Turkey. Turkey Travel Planner+2

• Mining is associated with villages near Eskişehir; travel references commonly point to places like Sepetçi Köyü and Kozlubel within the mining area. Turkey Travel Planner

• Geologically, the nodules occur in Pliocene-age conglomerates (often referenced as the İmişehir/Imisehir conglomerates) with associated minerals such as dolomite and magnesite. 

How block meerschaum is mined (typical method)

Because carving-grade meerschaum occurs as scattered nodules, extraction tends to be small-scale and selective rather than large open-pit operations:

• Shafts and galleries/tunnels: Miners dig down to reach the nodule-bearing layers and follow them with traditional tunneling. 

• Basic hand tools / low mechanization: A major gemological reference describes it as mined by locals using basic implements and traditional methods. 

• Wet extraction: Industry/trade sources often note the material may be taken out “wet” from substantial depths (figures like hundreds of feet are commonly cited in the trade).

What happens after it comes out of the mine

1. Cleaning & rough trimming: Dirt and weak rind are removed; nodules are sorted by soundness and size. (The goal is to keep a single solid “block.”) 

2. Drying & conditioning: Meerschaum is workable when damp but must be dried carefully to reduce cracking/warping risk.

3. Grading: Value is driven by:

   • Size/volume (bigger solid blocks = rarer)

   • Whiteness and uniform texture

   • Low fracture/vein content (cracks reduce carving potential) gia.edu+1

4. Carving (pipes & ornaments): Higher-grade blocks go to artisans for carving, traditionally centered in Eskişehir. gia.edu+1

Why Eskişehir “block” is prized

• Very light + porous structure, easy to carve when conditioned.

• When used as a pipe bowl material, it gradually colors (patinates) with use, which many collectors value.

• High-grade nodules are uncommon because the deposit is nodule-based and pieces often have natural veining or fractures. 

Legal / trade notes (important if you’re buying)

• Marketing and policy discussions around Turkish meerschaum commonly mention that export of raw meerschaum was restricted/prohibited (often cited as a 1972 regulation) to encourage local value-added carving. 
  (If you want, tell me your country and whether you’re buying rough blocks or finished pipes, and I’ll outline the practical “how to avoid pressed/fake” checks.)

Visiting / seeing meerschaum culture (not the mines)

Many mines are working sites and not set up for casual tourism, but Eskişehir is known for meerschaum workshops and museums/markets. Travel guides highlight the region’s meerschaum identity and shopping culture. Turkey Travel Planner

If you tell me what you mean by “detail informations” (history, exact mine locations, mining technique, how to buy real block, or investment/price grades), I’ll zoom into that and make it very specific.