W009 / Wyoming

Wyoming nephrite jade

Nephrite; interlocking amphibole rock

A weathered rind may hide the interior color. Smooth, naturally polished pieces can look quite different from freshly cut material.

← Western Lapidary Materials
Verified reference photograph pending

What it is

Nephrite; interlocking amphibole rock

What to look for

A weathered rind may hide the interior color. Smooth, naturally polished pieces can look quite different from freshly cut material.

At the cutting bench

Inspect the actual piece for fractures, voids and cutting orientation. Deposit-specific yield and polish data are UNKNOWN.

Under the loupe

Green color alone does not distinguish nephrite from serpentine or other lookalikes. A Wyoming label needs provenance as well as material identification.

Source & collecting access

The survey reports that decades of searching reduced easily visible surface finds. That is not evidence that every deposit is exhausted.

Status checked 2026-10-01

The market notebook

UNKNOWN — no verified completed-sales sample sufficient for a range

Market researched 2026-10-01

Open the field notes

Color comparison tags

Green, Black, Pink, Brown/Tan

Geology & evidence limits

WSGS describes nephrite in central Wyoming shear zones and in younger sedimentary and alluvial deposits. The rock is made of closely intergrown amphibole fibers.

Collecting & trade history

The survey reports that decades of searching reduced easily visible surface finds. That is not evidence that every deposit is exhausted.

Reading old-stock material

Preserve the estate label, wrapping, purchase record and associated pieces. Old-stock status alone does not authenticate origin or imply a premium.

What we know—and what we don’t

Visual resemblance is a comparison clue, not proof of material identity, locality or documented provenance. Keep source labels and estate records separate from your visual assessment.

C&C Reference Collection

Reference photograph pending. Do not substitute an unlicensed dealer image or a similar-looking specimen of uncertain identity.

Sources & Further Reading
  1. WSGS: Jade deposits

    Primary geological synthesis; state images not presumed public domain

Cut and polish with appropriate wet methods and silica-dust controls. Historic directions and mine names are not current permission to collect.