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[hummingbirdstones]

Came across this picture and was wondering what it is.  Anybody know?  Thanks!

[lithicbeads]

It is jade , black nephrite. It is hard to tell if it is the black jade with magnetite  from near Mt. Palomar California which can be electroplated with gold on the magnetite crystals or the Wyoming version which has quartz crystals. I'd vote for the Mt. Palomar rough.

[hummingbirdstones]

Thanks, Frank.  It's really pretty.  Is this stuff as big a pain in the arse to work as all the other jade?  I'm not normally a jade person because it's so difficult, but this one is really calling me.   

[lithicbeads]

So few people work this type of jade that it doesn't have a widespread reputation.

[hummingbirdstones]

Doesn't matter anyway.  Bloody thing went for $191 and change.   

Thanks for the info, though!

[lithicbeads]

 I looked again and from the useful shape and density and quality of the magnetite crystals it was relatively cheap compared to the $40 a slab I have seen at shows.

[hummingbirdstones]

Dang.