Gülel Meerschaums are a new, very new in fact, brand of meerschaums germinated by Medet Kara (the carver), Tamer Sahin (his translator and business manager) and Laudisi Enterprises (the US importer) in early 2002.

From the beginning, we had three goals in mind for the brand:

Firstly, we firmly believed that technical improvements could be made to existing meerschaum pipe making methods.

For more on the technical and engineering improvements undertaken by Medet for the Gülel Meerschaum pipe, see our Technical Improvements section.

Secondly, we believed that Medets work with meerschaum was as good or better than anyone in Turkey. His artistic virtuosity and technical skill formed a beginning cornerstone for the new Gülel brand. Medet has been carving meerschaums for almost thirty years now. So, Gülel Meerschaums might be a new brand, but Medet Kara has been recognized as a major carver in Eskisehir, Turkey for many years. Indeed, Medet was featured in Pipes and Tobaccos Magazine in the Fall of 1998 along with his brother Imdat.

For more on Medet Kara and his life, check out our Medet Kara section.

Thirdly, we believed we could lower the price, in spite of the improvements, by streamlining the supply chain and applying new technologies to the importation, promotion and distribution of Gülel Meerschaums.

The nomenclature and examples of Gülel Meerschaums:

• Medium Deluxe (MD) - MSRP $110.00
• Large Smooth (LS) - MSRP $135.00
• Large Lattice (LL) - MSRP $140.00
• Large Deluxe (LD) - MSRP $160.00
• Long Large Deluxe (LLD) - MSRP $250.00

Also check out our What is meerschaum? page, with pictures of mining and information on the mineral, mining methods and how Turkish meerschaum is different from deposits found elsewhere in the world.