A meerschaum piece is a type of tobacco pipe made from a mineral called meerschaum. The crossword solutions for this term are STEM (4 letters) and PIPESTEM (8 letters). STEM refers to the part of the pipe that connects the bowl to the mouthpiece, while PIPESTEM is the entire length of the pipe from the bowl to the mouthpiece. Meerschaum pieces are prized for their unique color and texture, which develops over time as the pipe is smoked.