Meerschaum Carved Beads Rare
Rare White Meerschaum Carved Beads from Turkey. I had these rare beads for years and couldn't determine what they were. In my many years of dealing in beads and jewelry, these are the first Meerschaum beads I have ever had. Meerschaum is a variety of the mineral sepiolite usually found in Turkey.
The beads are surprisingly light weight and are highly carved in a floral design.
The name Meerschaum is the German word for sea foam (Meer, sea + Schaum, foam). It is said that this designation was given because of the once held belief that it represented compressed whitecaps of waves in the sea; its light weight and off-white color apparently led to this belief. The French call it 'écume de mer'.
They have some minor yellowing and discoloration, which is to be expected in these beads.
- Size: several
- Sold Individually
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