I found these go-ishi at a Goodwill the other day, the black ones are most definitely slate, but I'm curious what quality the white ones are - I'm assuming they are clamshell. Taking a picture was difficult because the lines are fairly faint, but I count about 10 of them on each stone. Any guesses, for the sake of my own curiosity? I've attached the two pictures I could take.( Soap, I put them in Hide tags. ed )

Hello, and … Greetings, Tom

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Soap, I'm guessing they are Standard Grade, jitsuyo, shell stones.
Not sure about the thickness -- you could use a caliper -- about 8 mm?

Thank you!

Nice find ... at a goodwill no less! I've been scouring Toronto for any place for Japanese stones ... new or used ... and you find slate and shell at a goodwill!

Well done ... Erythen posted something about shells and oiling the slate stones .. you might want to have a look as they might come out very nice when reconditioned.

Really nice find. Is this a full set (180 white, 181 black).

The pictures are a bit fuzzy so I can't be sure but the stones look like they might be moon grade. I'd have to see them with a bright light from behind though.

Whatever the case, the stones are definitely shell. If the slate stones appear to have a white powder like substance on them then the'll need to be oiled. It isn't that difficult to do. If you'd like a guide on how to take care of the stones I'll happily send you one

Not necessarily -- that's more of a personal preference than functional.
Some people like a thin film of oil; others don't like it. I hate it. Even when I wash my hands
every time before using the slate & shell stones, the natural oil from my hands will eventually
"coat" the slate stones, over time.

According to Kurokigoishi
Source [http://www.kurokigoishi.co.jp/igoblog/cat04/index.php?page=4
The set of Go stone includes black stones? I would like to know what is the Black stone made of? They looks very different from the white one.]



So it seems to me that you basically just need to clean off the white powder from the black stone surface but not necessarily oil them as they might become too shiny thereafter.

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Time to start shopping at goodwill. I counted myself lucky just to find one of the old Ishi Press sets with glass stones for 20$.

I can't be the only one wondering how much they cost you...

They cost $4. The person who priced them obviously didn't know too much about Go. And it's like 179 white/175 black stones. I should probably add in a couple of stones.

Unfortunately, it will cost you alot more than $4 to add in a couple of stones.

Nice find at Goodwill.