Here is the latest update on my mattress project:

I just bought a new latex core and I like it very much. It is made of natural latex, Dunlop process, ILD is 45 to 49. The foam distributor calls this firmness their NaturaLux model number D95. The label said "extra extra firm." It is eastern king size, and is a true 6 inches thick, not 5.6 inches. It was a good deal, too. It cost approximately $900, including shipping. All other quotes I could find on the web were $1200 and up. I did not get the 5 zone model that is available, just the uniform firmness model.

I bought it through Jackie at Creative Ventures, phone number 707-435-8434, web site www.bjventures.net. I learned of her business on this forum, from a post by a very knowledgeable poster named haysdb, so I decided to give her a try. I can highly recommend buying your latex from her. She is very nice, and extremely easy to work with and very responsive with feedback via phone and email. She arranged for the latex to be "drop shipped" directly from the foam distributor (www.sleepcomp.com) to my house, which is nice since I didn't have to pay for shipping to her place and then to mine.

The foam was new and clean with no tears, so I am happy with it. The only apprehension I originally had while dealing with Jackie was the fact that she doesn't take credit cards. (I usually like to use cards so I can contest the charges in case something is wrong with the item.) But she seemed so nice and haysdb had done business with her, so I decided to give her a try. I paid via paypal. Everything went fine and I am happy with Jackie and with the foam.

By the way, sleepcomp's web site lists talalay, natural Dunlop, and blend Dunlop. I got the natural Dunlop, but I assume that Jackie can order any of these types of latex for you.

I searched the web before the purchase, and the closest competitor I could find on the web (www.foamorder.com) had something "similar," but for $1185.58 plus shipping of $44.36. However, I said "similar" because foamorder did not offer anything quite as firm as the one I bought: foamorder's firmest "Natural Sense" is called "N45" and "Hard." I assume this is an ILD of 45, which can of course vary a little plus/minus, so it is likely just a touch softer than mine. (Imperceptibly so, I'm sure, but It was important to me to buy the firmest latex made, for reasons I will explain later.)

(To be fair: I am going by foamorder's complicated web page. Perhaps they do sell a D95 model like mine, if you call them...I don't know. Also, foamorder's website mentions a 10% discount, but I'm not sure if it applies to a block of Natural Sense.)

So, now I have 2 pieces of latex and a 1 inch fake "Venus" memory foam topper, from Overstock.com (see my previous post on this.) I'm in the process of ordering a mattress case. I'll post with my impressions as I go along...

BTW, My other piece of Latex I bought from foamsweetfoam.com. I called them and he sold me a clearance latex core that had been returned under the 30 day comfort warrantee. It is all natural, Dunlop, and ILD 48. It is eastern king and was supposed to be 3 inches thick, but it is really 2.8 inches thick. Also, it had some dust stains (I assume from warehouse handling) and it had some body hairs on it (I assume these were picked up from the previous owner's carpet while they were swapping out cores from the mattress case.) It cost me $400 including shipping. He referred to this as half off (his price of $800), but other websites sell 3 inch firm king pieces for $600, so I only consider my savings to be $200 off, not $400 off. (I bought this piece BEFORE learning of Jackie's business. I now wish I had not bought this piece, but hey...I can still use it. Live and Learn.)