Soo Chow Jade/Nephrite/Bowenite etc etc.

nia

Ok now I am officially confused! Cast your minds back to the outbreak of the above stone we had in about February/March after Alibongo, me, Bluebottle and CoburgCrafts all bought a stash of it in the Spring Fair. We all came up with completely different pieces made from it, and I guess we all sold what we made, so the hunt was on for more of the same.
We bought it initially under the name Nephrite, which we know is a form of Jade. In searches for it however, it popped up as Soo Chow jade as well as a few other names. We found some in Beads Direct, they call it Tri-Colour Jade

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and all the jewellery I've made from it I've been describing it as Nephrite and in brackets Soo Chow jade.
Anyway, I made this necklace today

and I thought I'd do a bit more digging.
I googled it and found this site

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and I now discover that what I've been calling Soo Chow Jade is in fact soapstone or Bowenite. I even searched Google Images and there's a lot of jewellery on there using the same stone, all calling it Soo Chow Jade.
So from now on, I'll be describing it as Soo Chow Jade and in brackets Bowenite.
Bet you're sorry you read this now aren't you!
If anyone has any better suggestions for the name, please input!
Nia - who now needs a stiff drink!

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Coburg Crafts · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 7:26 pm Post subject:

Hmmmmm. Well, as we were sold it as nephrite, that's what I've been calling it. If asked, I say that Nephrite is a form of jade.
It's such a shame that it's causing such a problem as it's SO lovely and I'd really like to have some more....

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Lesley

Coburg Crafts · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 7:30 pm Post subject:

Lovely necklace, BTW!! Is that the tri-colour from Beads Direct? If so, then I think it may be a different beast to the 'nephrite' as that had a more opaque quality and more dark red and green - at least in my stash. Oh, it's TOO confusing.... Gaah!

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Lesley

ejralph · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 7:50 pm Post subject:

If you ever have any queries about stones, you can always head over to my brother's site Mindat

They have a forum there. It's mostly rocks rather than beads specifically - but I am sure someone would help out with identifications if needed.

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Incidently, I never go to his site myself, so have no idea how friendly they are or not. Only have Brother's say so that its a good place to ask about stone identifications! ROTFL

Emma

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nia · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 7:52 pm Post subject:

Coburg Crafts wrote:

Lovely necklace, BTW!! Is that the tri-colour from Beads Direct? If so, then I think it may be a different beast to the 'nephrite' as that had a more opaque quality and more dark red and green - at least in my stash. Oh, it's TOO confusing.... Gaah!

Ta. Yes 'tis the very same. I think tbh the ones we bought originally were simply better quality, but the same stone. The ones I've had from BD are ok, don't get me wrong, but they arent quite as well cut, and not as fruity, if that makes sense! But to be fair, for this necklace, I've omitted the greener beads from the strand, so it doesn't show the whole spectrum of colours.
They still have them in stock if you feel like indulging - cos after all, you won't be spending lots of money at the NEC now, will you? Laughing

Nia.

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nia · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 7:54 pm Post subject:

ejralph wrote:

If you ever have any queries about stones, you can always head over to my brother's site Mindat

They have a forum there. It's mostly rocks rather than beads specifically - but I am sure someone would help out with identifications if needed.

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Incidently, I never go to his site myself, so have no idea how friendly they are or not. Only have Brother's say so that its a good place to ask about stone identifications! ROTFL

Emma

First place I looked Emma, before googling! It confirms Bowenite! Soo Chow jade sounds so much prettier though doesn't it?
Nia.

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ejralph · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 7:59 pm Post subject:

Lol

Soo Chow would get my vote. Have to be so careful what you call things these days though don't you.

Bowenite just makes me think of Jim Bowen and Bully!

Emma Daisy

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nia · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 8:02 pm Post subject:

ejralph wrote:

Lol

Soo Chow would get my vote. Have to be so careful what you call things these days though don't you.

Bowenite just makes me think of Jim Bowen and Bully!

Emma Daisy

Oh thank you VERY much! I've been studiously trying to avoid that mental image all afternoon, now it's well and truly stuck in my head! Brick wall

Nia.

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bluebottle · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 8:12 pm Post subject:

Oh pants.

Well that is a gorgeous necklace and its a lovely stone, whatever its called - I'm just gonna call it Rhubarb Stone Very Happy

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Julie :0)

nia · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 8:18 pm Post subject:

bluebottle wrote:

Oh pants.

Well that is a gorgeous necklace and its a lovely stone, whatever its called - I'm just gonna call it Rhubarb Stone Very Happy

Genius! Cheers matey! My new necklace is now officially christened "Rhubarb Crumble"!
Nia.

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bluebottle · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 8:24 pm Post subject:

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Julie :0)

ejralph · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 10:03 pm Post subject:

nia wrote:

ejralph wrote:

Lol

Soo Chow would get my vote. Have to be so careful what you call things these days though don't you.

Bowenite just makes me think of Jim Bowen and Bully!

Emma Daisy

Oh thank you VERY much! I've been studiously trying to avoid that mental image all afternoon, now it's well and truly stuck in my head! Brick wall

Nia.

Ah soz Nia!

Click

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to see what you would've won!

Gorgeous necklace by the way - I meant to say that earlier and totally forgot. How Wude!

Emma Daisy

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nia · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 10:23 pm Post subject:

Woop woop! I've now got a Bullseye ringtone! Can life get any better? Laughing

Nia.

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ejralph · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 10:28 pm Post subject:

nia wrote:

Woop woop! I've now got a Bullseye ringtone! Can life get any better? Laughing

Nia.

Nope. I think you have reached the very top there!!!

Emma ROTFL

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bluebottle · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 10:33 pm Post subject:

One hundred and eightyyyyyyyyyy!

ROTFL

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Julie :0)