Solomon, Hawaiian or????

[fearn]

Tests for lime? Pure chalk will rub off, of course. But both chalk and lime are probably calcium carbonate, so they will test the same. The fundamental test for calcium carbonate is a bit of acid: vinegar, draino (a much stronger acid), or something similar. Calcium carbonate will fizz as it dissolves.

I don't recommend testing your club this way, because it's not clear whether you'll learn anything worth knowing for the damage caused. Moreover, there's not much lime involved, so you'd have to watch carefully for any little bubbles.

The more interesting question is superposition: there appears to be use damage, and there's a design. Which came first? Was the design retouched after the damage? It's even possible for a decoration to be applied after damage, although I don't think that's the case here.

Basically, if a dent mars a decoration, the decoration came first. I'm curious if there are cases where there is damage over the decoration, and then fresher lime reapplied inside the design, but overlaying a dent.

Hope this helps,

F