Who would've thought - a greenstone/wool cloth!
By Peter Kerr for sticK
(sticK - 26 April 2011 ) Wow, here's a wild idea - a wool/jade fabric.
And maybe there's been other people who have thought of mixing merino wool with greenstone/pounamu - but Marlborough farmer Richard Bell's been the first to try it.
Along with European clothmaker Dormeuil, Bell's created a new type of fabric that Prime Minister John Key is apparently going to be wearing as a suit to the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. (That's what the press release implies anyway)
Ground up micro particles of pounamu were sent to Europe, along with his Haldon Range superfine merino, and hey presto, a cloth that is apparently smoother and softer than any high fashion wool garment made previously.
For sticK – science, technology, innovation & commercialisation KNOWLEDGE - is a new Wellington based news service concentrating on following the money from ideas to income. Contact editor Peter Kerr at peter.kerr055 @ gmail.com