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Permalink Reply by BrianQ. on May 18, 2021 at 12:26am

I have seen many, marble,jasper,turquoise,tigers eye,Etc. and yes they do chip and break?

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Permalink Reply by Southern Ray on May 18, 2021 at 2:08am

 That's what I figured. Are there any advantages and do they work well as long as you baby them?

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Permalink Reply by BrianQ. on May 18, 2021 at 2:25am

I don’t know about any advantages, but I’m guessing grain structure plays a role in cracking? I’m just going off what’s come across my bench over the years, although I’ve used a small river rock for a temporary bridge a few times? I’m not sure about the lifespan, I’m guessing it depends on how hard it is and how much it gets played? I think Randy Bretz might have used stone on his bridges before, you might ask him?

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Permalink Reply by Myron Joe Hickel on May 18, 2021 at 1:51pm

I tried soapstone, pipestone, glass and a couple of different cherts. they all had the same problems, they don't like the wrapped strings. However you can get around most of the cracking problem by making a wood bridge the same size as the stone bridge. And using it to get the exact placement for your bridge. A though body neck is needed with good support under the bridge area. If you planned on a true hollow body the cupping of the sound board may crack the bridge. I prefer bone, aluminium, brass water buffalo horn and antler.

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Permalink Reply by the anonymous pick on May 19, 2021 at 1:50am

I'm a bit a a crystal nut , and have collected crystal skulls and points etc .. for years , so of course , I have wanted to research  the attributes of  using crystal  for guitar parts . Making a long story short , It's a myth that harder is better in a bridge  , and many factors come into play , including hardness, elasticity, absorption,  brittleness, etc etc . findings are . that  jade , seems to be a favorite , and  is close to  passing the test on  some points .  another popular suggestion was   corian (the man-made counter top stuff) , it also comes  close to passing . Many compare it to bone .  but not all agree it is better . 

BUT-  none really  match up with traditional bridge material

Conclusion =  Cool for a cool look . but most likely will sacrifices sound and practicability.

But take into account  less strings , less tension , nylon .  uke . diddly  . etc .. 

That being said,  I have had a jade bridge on a  diddly bow  for  about 10  years now . and all is fine and sounds good , but it is on  a plastic (cyrstal cut ) kleenex holder  body  and acrylic neck . 

 So who knows ? . try it on something . it may work for your particular plan and set up.

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