Hopefully this doesn't sound argumentative, but since it was a picture of my restoration that was edited and commented on, I just want to say that it is unlikely that that stem will need to be replaced during the owner's lifetime (or mine). Buyer's exact response when received; although I never described it as looking new: "Wow man, you are correct this thing looks and feels brand new. Just still in awe of it."
He's happy and I'm happy. And I really don't mind people parsing my sentences or my photographs - this is a hobby for me and if all my pipes burned tomorrow, I'd buy another and enjoy my smokes just as much.
I commented on an "as found" photo, not a pipe you restored.
Whether or not whoever owns that pipe is OK with the stem being oxidized far enough below the surface that its color must either be accepted as-is, or the stem replaced if they want it to be black again, is simply how the world works when it comes to oxidation. There is no "C".
"Unlikely that the stem will need to be replaced" is too disconnected from the situation to make sense. (?)
If you ask ten people whether a manufactured object pipe "looks new" you'll get ten answers. Unless they are experienced and have a trained eye, none will get it right except by luck. It's also frequently used as a phrase that's not to be taken literally.
No one is parsing your sentences or photos, they are responding to remarks
you made which required specifics to explain.