u/ThaiNatas

Can’t (don’t need to) fold them. Scotch tape held for a couple days…

​Hey r/whatsthisrock! Looking for help identifying the exact mineral of this carved river stone/nodule.

​Testing & Physical Data:

​Hardness Test: > 6.0 Mohs. A steel pin/blade does not scratch it at all—it just leaves a gray metal streak on the surface that wipes completely clean without leaving a mark.

​Weight & Dimensions: 833 grams, roughly 10 x 8 cm 17-19cm circumstance

​Exterior / Rind: Natural, unpolished, weathered dark skin with micro-pitting on the back.

​Translucency / Luster: Strong vivid green translucency when backlit with a flashlight or sunlight (glows brightly through the thick rind). Smooth, slightly waxy to vitreous luster inside the carved window.

​Origin: Found at a secondhand shop in Bangkok Thailand (near the Burmese border region).

​Question:

Given the hardness, weight, and strong translucency, what natural stone does this look like to you? Are we looking at Nephrite, Jadeite, Green Quartzite/Aventurine, or something else?

​(Photos attached showing the front carving, raw pitted rind, scratch test area, and flashlight backlighting!)

I bought this "rock" at a hunk shop here in Bangkok Thailand and didn't realize how cool it was until I shined a light behind it and put it in the sun where it came alive.

Glad to hear opinions from experts...

​Hi everyone!

​First time ever hearing this word, excuse my ignorance I understand it's supposed to be uncarved, but thought this river stone window might still be appreciated here!

I recently learned about Suiseki while trying to figure out what this heavy river pebble is (833\text{ g}, >6.0 Mohs hardness).

since it highlights the natural, weathered river rind alongside the translucent green interior, I thought members here might still appreciate the aesthetic And might have some insight into this to me new "rock" I bought it at a small random junk shop here in Thailand

Hey everyone suggestions on which group to post in warmly appreciated.

,

looking for some insights on this unusual carved stone boulder I picked up at a secondhand junk shop here in Thailand. Possibly just some tourist junk?

​Physical Details:

​Dimensions & Weight: Roughly 10cm x 8cm}, weighs 833 grams.

​Exterior: Unpolished, weathered dark "river pebble"? skin/rind covering most of the stone, with micro-pitting on the bottom side.i haven't tried cleaning it.

​The Carving: A "window" has been cut into one side, revealing a smooth relief carving of a Buddha seated on a lotus, surrounded by a polished rim.

​Hardness Test: I ran a steel scratch test on it—a steel pin/blade does NOT scratch the stone at all. It leaves a streak of dust that easily wipes clean off.

​Translucency: When backlit with a strong flashlight, bright vivid green light glows through the entire body and rind (see backlit photo).

I’m open to all perspectives on this piece!

​For the rock & gem folks: Based on the density, translucency, and hardness (>6.0), what natural stone does this feel like to you? (Nephrite, Jadeite, Green Quartzite, Chalcedony?)

​For the art & culture folks: What’s your reaction to the style? Does it spark any cool history, lapidary lore, or creative inspiration for anyone?

​General vibes: How cool or unusual does this look to you, and have you seen anything quite like it before?

​I'd love to hear whatever thoughts, lore, or general impressions it gives off. Photos attached show the front, natural rind, scratch test area, and flashlight backlighting!

​

Body: When I was 12 years old, my family was traveling in a 32 ft camping trailer between Iowa and Georgia over the July 4, 1976 Bicentennial weekend. I remember looking into a coin-operated street newspaper box and seeing a striking, full-color front page photo that has been burned into my mind for 50 years.

The photo was a close-up portrait of a young woman with red white and blue contact lenses with stars and stripes. Google suggests it's a photo of model Alisha Fontaine wearing red, white, and blue "Stars and Stripes" contact lenses designed by Dr. Harry Hollander (it was an official UPI wire photo released on June 29, 1976).

Because it was in full color on a Sunday paper, it was likely a major metropolitan newspaper along the road trip corridor (such as Chicago, Louisville, Nashville, or Atlanta). Local experts have already confirmed it did NOT appear on the front page of the Des Moines or Cedar Rapids papers.

Does anyone have access to the color photo archives or physical Sunday editions for July 4, 1976, to help me finally track down which city's paper ran this as their main front page visual?