Characteristics of Sepiolite:

Chemical Name: Magnesium silicate hydrate

Formula: Mg4Si6O15(OH)2·6H2O

Colors: White, grey, pinkish

Structure: Orthorhombic

Hardness: 2-2.5

Specific Gravity: 2.1-2.3

Refractive Index: 1.53

Lustre: Dull to earthy

Streak: White

Locations: Turkey, USA, Italy, Czech Republic, Spain

What is Sepiolite? 

Sepiolite is perhaps best known by its popular name – meerschaum, from the German for “sea foam”. It is compact, earthy, clay-like, and often porous. Because it is usually found in nodular masses of interlocking fibres, it has a toughness that belies its mineralogical softness. This allows it to be intricately carved, most often in the form of smoking pipes. Meerschaum Sepiolite is soft when first extracted and easily carved, but hardens on drying. The most important commercial Sepiolite deposit is near Eskisehir Turkey where it is found as irregular nodules.