🔎 UNIDENTIFIED Wyoming jade?

[sjbrdn]

Hey Guys. I'm a newbie. I've always been interested in rocks and have a small collection but I've never really delved into what they specifically are, etc. My family lived in Wyoming in the 1970's when I was a child. My father acquired this stone at that time but I'm not sure how. He worked for Pacific Power on a road crew and did a lot of hunting, fishing and camping with the family, so he could have acquired it in a number of ways. It's been cut on one side. Could this be from the mining process? It weighs just over 14 pounds.

My father told me it was Wyoming jade. I understand there are many types of jade. Some being desirable while others are not. The pictures show the rough sides and the cut side. I wet the cut side in one picture to better show the makeup of the stone and give an
idea how it would look polished.

I appreciate any help you can give me with identifying this stone.

Steve

 

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[AU Seeker]

Wyoming jade is Nephrite jade, it is the State's gemstone and is considered as some of the finest in the world.

There are two types of jade Nephrite and Jadeite, with Nephrite being considered to be the best.

Wyoming jade comes on many colors from black, white even blue but mostly it comes in many shades of green.

Jade is translucent or at very least opaque, I can't tell from your photos if yours is or not, can you post another photo with a bright light behind to see if it's translucent?

Wyoming State Geological Survey - Jade

Wyoming Jade

main.wsgs.wyo.gov

 

[sjbrdn]

Thanks for your reply. I read the article and others on the subject. It seems there are different grades of jade based on purity (and impurity) with the finest exhibiting the translucent qualities. The article references other jade-like stones that are magnetic.

This stone is 14# and in the rough with the exception of the cut side. I don't think it is translucent and it's not magnetic either. Looking at pictures from other Wyoming jade sites, it resembles samples in the sage color scheme with imperfections.

Of course, this is all a wild guess on my part, that's why I'm looking for some clarification from more knowledgeable people.

 

[ToddsPoint]

I had a friend that went out west. He broke down in WY near a rock shop. The owner had a jade claim behind the shop. He took my friend back there to show him the claim. He said the place was loaded with rattlesnakes. He brought me one piece of jade the shop owner gave him. I made this pendant but the piece had some flaws. My only piece of WY jade.

 

[ColorfulCreator]

Wyoming jade is Nephrite jade, it is the State's gemstone and is considered as some of the finest in the world.

There are two types of jade Nephrite and Jadeite, with Nephrite being considered to be the best.

Wyoming jade comes on many colors from black, white even blue but mostly it comes in many shades of green.

Jade is translucent or at very least opaque, I can't tell from your photos if yours is or not, can you post another photo with a bright light behind to see if it's translucent?

Wyoming State Geological Survey - Jade

Wyoming Jade

main.wsgs.wyo.gov

I think this is in Minnesota too.

 

[unclemac]

Jadeite is the rarer and more valuable of the two. Jadeite is most often found in jewelry... and is considered a "gemstone"

 

[unclemac]

someone took the time to cut it, which takes time and dedication, so it sure could be, not an especially deep desirable color though... but...

9150g Wyoming USA 100% Natural Rough Green Jade Block Chunk Specimen 20.18 pound | eBay

Total Weight : 20.18 lb or 9150g or 9.15kg. Original : Wyoming -USA. The stone was WET WET WET when taken photos to show color. Gem Type :Jade - Nepherite. Color :Green as seen.

www.ebay.com

 

[Gare]

sjbrdn I have NO IDEA what it is but WELCOME to a VERY NICE FORUM ​

 

[unclemac]

...you will like it here.... lots of folk know a lot of things....

 

[Gare]

Toddspoint you did a FANTASTIC job making that point. WOW !!!
Thanks for sharing with us

 

[sjbrdn]

Hey Guys,
Thanks for all the replies. It's been fun learning about this stone. My father always valued it and our time in Wyoming. He passed away in January and I brought the jade home with me.
I saw this knife that was made with Wyoming jade scales and it spoke to me. It was part of a limited series by Browning in the 1980 time frame. The color and makeup is very similar to my large piece. I was surprised to find that the knife was accompanied by the original shipping box from Browning to the retailer. I told my buddy that, as a knife collector, I value the historical significance of the box and papers almost as much as I do the knife! This my first knife with stone scales and it's fitting that they are Wyoming jade.