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Andrea,
Your scratch test indicates that the stone is softer than nephrite or jadeite.
Wealth of past owner has nothing to do with what the item is made of. Wealthy persons can be as ignorant as anyone else, and may be as ready to believe a vendor's story without proof. Unscrupulous vendors may produce worthless 'certificates of authenticity' or even appraise similar products with fraudulent descriptions.
If you do a simple web search, many museum sites have photos of actual 'mutton fat' jade (nephrite) available to look at. Also if you search the Forum site here, you can find many entries of valuable advice and useful web sites concerning true jade and sundry stone carvings meant to simulate jade to one extent or another.
It is still an attractive carving, and looks like better quality than most steatite carvings.
Best regards,
Judy
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