diff --git a/bin/enableUnicodeCompares.topaz b/bin/enableUnicodeCompares.topaz
new file mode 100755
index 00000000..96655383
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bin/enableUnicodeCompares.topaz
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env superdoit_topaz
+#
+# 
+
+set u SystemUser p swordfish
+
+login
+
+run
+"enable unicode comparison mode ... note that unicode comparison mode does
+  not take effect until the next login ... enableUnicodeComparisonMode is
+  preferred method, but may not be present in all versions of GemStone that
+  may use this script."
+Globals at: #StringConfiguration put: Unicode16.
+System commit.
+GsFile stdout nextPutAll: 'Unicode comparison mode enabled.'; lf
+%
+
diff --git a/tests/test_rowanV3_alpha.sh b/tests/test_rowanV3_alpha.sh
index 7a9eede7..b5c13dcc 100755
--- a/tests/test_rowanV3_alpha.sh
+++ b/tests/test_rowanV3_alpha.sh
@@ -136,6 +136,8 @@ gslist.solo -l
 if [ "$template" = "minimal_rowan" ] ; then
 	cd $STONES_HOME/$registry/stones/$stoneName
 
+	# turn on unicodeComparisonMode required by Jadeite
+	enableUnicodeCompares.topaz -lq
 	# attach stone to the Rowan projects that are part of the base image
 	bin/attachRowanDevClones.stone --projectsHome=$STONES_HOME/$registry/gs_projects $*
 	# install GsDevKit_stones using Rowan installProject.stone script