Natural meerschaum is a very light and porous hydrated silicate of magnesia, white, yellowish, grey or pink, found almost exclusively in Asia Minor. It is obtained in small pieces (the sides seldom exceed 30 cm). These pieces are submitted to a preliminary cleaning, scraping, wool polishing and drying (in the sun or in an oven), followed by further flannel and wax polishing, in order to improve their appearance and to establish their grade or quality.
Agglomerated meerschaum is obtained by agglomerating shavings and other waste of natural meerschaum with binding agents (oils, alum, etc.) under the influence of heat. It falls here only when in plates, rods, sticks or similar forms, not worked after moulding.