New Guinea Jade Axes

Tim Simmons · 10th April 2016, 08:38 PM

Get the book. Variants of schist are described. The black is the hardest. However they are not jade. Even if jade is also a metamorphic rock

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josh stout · 11th April 2016, 04:20 PM

The book is on its way. Thanks!

It can be difficult to impossible to tell rocks apart just by looking at them. If I had to guess I would say yours are diorite, the hard often black or grainy rock used by the Egyptians and many axe makers.

(https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/C...E.2009.0.215.1)

Another possibility is "graywacke". It is common and usually rough, but it looks like some examples can be polished.

(http://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/au...5-a4f200bea73b)

Jade can be difficult to tell unless it is very green and translucent. Nephrite is often opaque and almost black with green highlights. It can polish to a shiny surface, but so can many other stones.

Looking at the examples posted and the links, it seems as though mine are adze blades. Tree felling axes don't have the lenticular profile, and the fighting axes are flatter and wider. One example shown in the ornate handle is very similar, but perhaps is also a fighting axe? Fighting axes seem to have the edge parallel to the handle, while adzes and wood chopping axes have the edge at right angles?

:No I can see I was wrong. The blade angle alone can't tell you what it is.

Here is another new one. (I like these very much

)

I am almost sure it is jade.

Tim Simmons · 11th April 2016, 05:38 PM

The book is amazing you will want more. This is the only adze I have left. A really big one would be a nice thing to have.

josh stout · 11th April 2016, 08:04 PM

Nice! It sure looks like jade to me.

11th April 2016, 04:20 PM	#2
josh stout Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 407	The book is on its way. Thanks! It can be difficult to impossible to tell rocks apart just by looking at them. If I had to guess I would say yours are diorite, the hard often black or grainy rock used by the Egyptians and many axe makers. (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/C...E.2009.0.215.1) Another possibility is "graywacke". It is common and usually rough, but it looks like some examples can be polished. (http://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/au...5-a4f200bea73b) Jade can be difficult to tell unless it is very green and translucent. Nephrite is often opaque and almost black with green highlights. It can polish to a shiny surface, but so can many other stones. Looking at the examples posted and the links, it seems as though mine are adze blades. Tree felling axes don't have the lenticular profile, and the fighting axes are flatter and wider. One example shown in the ornate handle is very similar, but perhaps is also a fighting axe? Fighting axes seem to have the edge parallel to the handle, while adzes and wood chopping axes have the edge at right angles? :No I can see I was wrong. The blade angle alone can't tell you what it is. Here is another new one. (I like these very much ) I am almost sure it is jade. Attached Images Last edited by josh stout; 11th April 2016 at 04:44 PM.

11th April 2016, 05:38 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	The book is amazing you will want more. This is the only adze I have left. A really big one would be a nice thing to have. Attached Images

10th April 2016, 08:38 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	Get the book. Variants of schist are described. The black is the hardest. However they are not jade. Even if jade is also a metamorphic rock .

11th April 2016, 08:04 PM	#4
josh stout Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 407	Nice! It sure looks like jade to me.