Custom Cut Polished & Wire Wrapped Wyoming Jade Necklace/Pendant Sterling Silver .935
Overall size: 1 9/16 x 5/8 inch or 40mm x 16mm
Wyoming jade—officially adopted as the state gemstone in 1967—is nephrite. Famed for its hardness and oily luster, this "green gold" ranges from pale white to deep black, with apple-green being the most prized. Today, it remains a heavily sought-after prize for mineral enthusiasts. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
History and The "Jade Rush"
- The Discovery: While some local legends claim Chinese railroad laborers found it in the 1800s, the first officially recognized discovery was in the late 1930s. Prospectors Bert and Verla Rhoads found a wind-polished green stone and sent it to the University of Wyoming, where it was identified as nephrite. [1, 2]
- The Rush: Popularity skyrocketed after a Popular Science article titled "'Green Gold'" was published in 1945. The rush peaked from the 1940s to 1960s, before cheaper Canadian jade hit the market. [1, 2]
- James L. Kraft: The wealthy cheese manufacturer and jade collector visited Lander, Wyoming, purchased large amounts of the local stone, and helped open one of the state's first dedicated jade shops