Yes.Eskisehir has the purest and quality meerschaum blocks of the world.The best meerschaum pipes are made by using this blocks.The best quality of meerschaum in blocks are extracted nowhere in the world but only in Turkey. Whereas the lower qualities do not absorb the nicotin as the others ones. Though the pressed meerschaum do not absorb at all.About 200 years ago, the first ever meerschaum-pipe was carved by a certain shoe-maker called Kovacs in Budapest. Before than nobody knew about this mineral, which could be excellently carved to make pipes.Eversince "carving" has become almost an art.