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Post by Redrummd on Dec 4, 2009 0:01:35 GMT -5
I have some beautiful Edwards black nephrite Jade. It was found in 1958 in Wyoming and is a very hard true nephrite Jade. In working with it I have found that there are white "snowflakes" in the Jade in what seems to be a totally random scattering. They are very hard and will not pick up any dyes. I would say they are as hard as quartz. So, can anyone here identify just what these "snowflakes" are? I would like to tell buyers of my works what they are as they are really beautiful up close.   |
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Post by lauriesrocks on Dec 4, 2009 6:59:19 GMT -5
Mike, I believe these are cristobalite. It is a form of quartz, with the same basic composition, but with a different crystal form. It is very hard and forms in high temperature environments. You may be familiar with what is sometimes called "snowflake obsidian". These snowflakes are cristobalite. To be positive, the molecular structure would have to be analyzed, but I am quite sure this is the mineral, as I have seen it in Jade before. I'm sure someone at the Gemological Institute could confirm this identification. Laurie
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Post by Redrummd on Dec 4, 2009 10:02:01 GMT -5
Laurie - Thanks a bunch for the fast response. I do appreciate it. I thought they were quartz as I have seen much larger ones in plume agates but I had never heard of Jade with them before. This is the best Jade I have ever been able to get in my opinion. I have a Jade dealer who had become a friend and he is selling me his entire collection of Edwards Black so I should have enough for doing knives with it for many years. I am very excited about this Jade and how fine grained it is. For taking the time to help, if you would like a few cab size pieces left over from cutting scales email me at redrummd@comcast.net
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