Another interesting aspect in the design Go equipment is the size difference between the black and white stones. It is a well-known optical illusions that white objects appear slightly larger than white objects of identical size. The black Go stones are manufactured to be roughly 2-3% larger than the white stones to counteract this effect.
Why do my new Go stones appear to be dirty/oily?
While the white Go stones generally have a highly polished surface, the black stones are matt and unreflective. Their matt surface means that the black stones are more susceptible to slight chipping and scratching in transport. For this reason, the black stones are oiled or coated in powder to protect them from damage. We recommend that black stones are washed or wiped clean before use.
How many stones do I need to play Go?
Go stones are generally sold in sets of 360 stones (180 black/white stones); however it is not uncommon for lower priced Go stone sets to contain 320 stones (160 black/white), which is perfectly acceptable does not cause problems in a game situation.
Which different sorts of Go stones are available?
Materials
Plastic - The cheapest Go stones are made of plastic or cardboard and range from coin-shaped counters to fairly passable glass imitation stones.
Prices range from €5 - €15.
Glass - Glass Go stones are generally considered the best value for money and are the most commonly used stone in Europe, with prices ranging from €15 - €50.
Slate/Shell - The finest and most expensive Go stones are made of slate (black stones) and clam shell (white stones) and are manufactued mainly in Japan. Prices begin around €100.
Design
Japanese "lense" shape - The Go stones seen in Europe are almost exclusively in the Japanese style, shaped like an optical lense.
Chinese "flattened" shape - Chinese Go stones have a flattened shape with slightly rounded edges and are commonly referred to as Yun- Zi stones.
Size
Thickness - The thickness of Go stones in the Japanese style ranges from 7mm to 11mm. Players generally prefer thicker stones, these being more satisfying to the touch and more attractive visually.
Diameter - The diameter of Go stones varies up to a maximum size of 22mm; larger stones would no longer fit onto a standard sized Go board.
