Featured Chinese shoushan stone massive carving 18 lohan on elephant white spots

I was hoping someone could help identify these weird white spots, I have them circled in the second picture. I was told that the sculptors don't remove them if they run too deep.

Apparently the sculptors for some reason cannot make them flat either. I have seen other shoushan stone sculptures with these lumps that are colored evenly despite being identified as 100% natural.

I am trying to sell this, hoping someone could give me more information. Thanks

 

Probably much harder stone and abuse of them may make the surrounding areas crack?
And....'it is what it is'.

 

Thanks. I was thinking it was something like that. Any specifics as to the name of the spots, scientific name, would make me sound like I know what I'm talking about

 

The white abscess at 4:00 on your lower-left red circle is the most interesting one, only partially submerged, it’d be nice to get a look minus the circle. Doesn’t make sense to me why the maker couldn’t remove them unless they add value somehow?

 

I've NO clue other to call them 'natural inclusions'.

 

Beautiful, john. It looks like Changhua jelly stone to me.
Like Shoushan stone, Changhua stone is used for seals and intricate sculptures. Jelly stones are the semi-translucent ones.
Changhua stones often have spots, they can be different colours depending on the provenance of the stone. All colours of the spots are natural and add prestige to the stone. Those white spots are seen as a must for that specific kind of Changhua stone, and really stand out in a jelly stone like yours.
Some info:
https://www.warriortours.com/intro/crafts_seal.htm

 

Stunning!!!

 

It's an amazing looking thing. Can't guess at the value.

 

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I google image searched for changhua stone and even used the Chinese characters. However I was not able to see any white spots like the ones on my stone.

Also there is some carved writing on the back and it is in black. It is faded now. Do they add black dye to the stone to create this?

 

you need an auction house for any kind of $$$ estimate...

 

I’m surprised no one has mentioned where this type of stone was first discovered, Jellystone Park, a tourist attraction also known for its talking bears.

 

And pic-a-nic baskets!

 

The multitude of white spots on your stone is rare. Here is a celadon coloured Changhua stone with less, bigger, spots:

https://www.yoycart.com/seller/黔灵印社/?&p=11

 

Thats great. Thanks for the information.

Lots of questions still:

1. Do you by chance know what the spots are called? Are they considered auspicious?

2. The writing on my stone in black--do they inject dye in that part to make the color?

3. I was told this was Shoushan stone. Is Changhua stone generally considered less valuable?

I would search but I cannot read or write Chinese.

 

Quite a statement!
~
"PERIOD!"
~

 

HA!!!!!
Was anoying Boo-Boo's butt under the pic-i-nic blanket.

 

The white zits are more properly called quartz phenocrysts, or simply sand particles. The phenocrysts are very hard inclusions in the mineral that didn’t for whatever reason turn into the softer dickite. C, me now a ex-spurt!

http://chinacoolart.com/2015/04/01/changhua-stone-carving-art-昌化石雕/

 

WOW! @john.c.conrad, that's SOME ORNATELY carved item!!!!! And I'm proud of myself.....I actually DO see the elephant head under all those figures!!! It's BEAUTIFUL, but cannot for the life of me imagine carving them all!!!!!! Or having the patience to do so!!!!

 

So I noticed there are some hairline cracks. Would these likely be caused from physical trauma, temperature expansion/contraction, or when the artist was working?