Thanks for pointing out that Turkey Stone is Novaculite, ("A dense, hard
even-textured, light-colored cryptocrystalline siliceous sedimentary
rock, similar to chert but characterized by dominance of
microcrystalline quartz over chalcedony.") I wonder if the Turkey Stone
quarried in 18th century Turkey and imported to England is the same as
the various Arkansas stones quarried in the 19th and 20th centuries?

The other references on the site are for mid-19th century technology.
Charnley Forest and other named stones do not appear in 18th century
documents that I have been able to find thus far--only Turkey Stones.
When I visited this site last week, I found it interesting that stones
like the Charnley Forest stones were referred to as a "the best
substitute for Turkey Stone" suggesting that Turkey Stone was still the
most desirable.

Do you know if the Charnley Forest stones are also novaculite or are
they a form of slate (note Christopher Gabriel's specific reference to
"Blue Stone" as separate from Turkey Stone.

Again, thanks for your help!

Cheers, John

John M. Johnston "There is a fine line between hobby and mental
illness." Dave Barry

In a message dated 9/19/2009 9:30:13 A.M. Central Daylight Time,
rohrabacher@e... writes: The Turkey stones were novaculite (quartz) same
as the Arkansas and the Charnley Forrest stones.
http://www.antiquetools.com/sharp/sharphistory.html

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