The facts
What thuringian Water Hone actually is
Mineralogically, thuringian Water Hone is a very fine-grained Ordovician-Silurian slate from the Thuringian Slate Mountains, used as a razor finishing hone — Illite-muscovite, quartz and chlorite in a fine slate fabric, crystallising in the aggregate system.
The colour is caused by yellow-green to blue-grey; the colour was used as a maker's grading convention by Escher and Sons. That is worth knowing because it determines what heating, light and time can and cannot do to the stone.
A refractometer gives nothing, because the material is opaque, and the specific gravity sits near 2.70-2.85; cleavage is slaty cleavage.
Where thuringian Water Hone comes from
The recognised sources are Lehesten, Unterloquitz and Steinach, Thuringian Slate Mountains, Thuringia, Germany and Sonneberg district, Thuringia, Germany.
Origin affects price in this material, so we name the locality on every quote rather than the country. "African" or "Asian" tells a buyer nothing.
How thuringian Water Hone is treated
Untreated; historically lapped and sold on wooden blocks with paper labels by Escher, Muller and other houses. The quarries supplying razor-hone grade slate closed in the 20th century, so all genuine Thuringians are vintage and label-faking is common - the roofing slate from the same district is not the same grade. Not CITES.
None of this is a problem when it is said out loud. It becomes one the moment it is left out.
What thuringian Water Hone is confused with
The usual confusions are Ordinary Thuringian and Welsh roofing slate, Charnley Forest stone (an English tuff hone), Modern synthetic razor hones and Belgian Blue.
Because the material is opaque, refractive index is no help. Specific gravity around 2.70-2.85, hardness of Approx. 3-4 for the matrix, with fine quartz as the cutting phase, streak and magnification do the work instead.
What thuringian Water Hone is used for
Thuringian Water Hone is bought by sharpening stones, mineral collecting and abrasives — and each of those trades wants a different form of the same material.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the stone, by the specimen or by the tonne.
Durability and care
Hardness Approx. 3-4 for the matrix, with fine quartz as the cutting phase; cleavage slaty cleavage. That combination decides what it can safely be set into.
Below about 5.5 a stone will be scratched by ordinary household dust, which is largely quartz. That does not make it unusable — it makes it a pendant, an earring or an object rather than a ring worn every day.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What thuringian Water Hone costs
Indicative pricing for thuringian Water Hone is $100-600 for a genuine labelled vintage hone depending on size and condition.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is thuringian Water Hone treated, and how?
Untreated; historically lapped and sold on wooden blocks with paper labels by Escher, Muller and other houses. The quarries supplying razor-hone grade slate closed in the 20th century, so all genuine Thuringians are vintage and label-faking is common - the roofing slate from the same district is not the same grade. Not CITES.
Where does thuringian Water Hone come from?
Lehesten, Unterloquitz and Steinach, Thuringian Slate Mountains, Thuringia, Germany and Sonneberg district, Thuringia, Germany. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is thuringian Water Hone hard enough to wear every day?
Not really. At Approx. 3-4 for the matrix, with fine quartz as the cutting phase on the Mohs scale it is softer than the quartz dust in ordinary household dirt, so it scratches with wear. It suits pendants, earrings and objects better than a daily ring.
How much does thuringian Water Hone cost?
Indicatively $100-600 for a genuine labelled vintage hone depending on size and condition. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is thuringian Water Hone confused with?
Most often Ordinary Thuringian and Welsh roofing slate, Charnley Forest stone (an English tuff hone), Modern synthetic razor hones and Belgian Blue. Since the material is opaque, separation relies on specific gravity near 2.70-2.85, hardness and magnification.
What is thuringian Water Hone used for besides jewellery?
sharpening stones, mineral collecting and abrasives. Each of those trades buys it in a different form and a different unit.
Related stones
Looking for thuringian water hone?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about thuringian water hone