I've had that happen to a new meerschaum recently. The shank cracked vertically next to the bowl; add slight pressure, driven by my depraved curiosity, and the bowl snapped off. I would bet the cost of a Baki that the material is flawed, in both our cases. Don't really care--i.m.o., meerschaums are overrated, a pain in the fundament, and I won't be soon seeking another. MISSOURI meerschaums, on the other hand...