Definition of jew powder

A term in miners' parlance for the judiceous use of explosives to achieve a desired effect less than the full power of a drill hole filled with the explosive. Pieces of wooden loading rod/stick (jew powder) are inserted into a drill hole between increments of the explosive to soften the blast, which propagates through the pieces of wood. This technique was applied for more precise trimming of rock, particularly in proximity to equipment and mining infrastructure. It is also a technique employed for the removal of potential specimen-bearing material where full shattering is not desired.