MikeS
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2009
Posts: 1,081
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Post by MikeS on Mar 22, 2010 12:39:36 GMT -5
Hi all I was helping my Dad clean out his attic last weekend and I ran across this little specimen. I had forgotten we had it, I'm glad we came across it again! This is an excellent ( if not small ) example of the fine Apple Green jade that brought thousands of jade hunters to the jade fields of Wyoming all those years ago. This stunning emerald green color was the most sought after of all the Wyoming jades, and was found almost exclusively in the Crooks Mountain reigion of the jade fields. Thousands of pounds of it was removed, some jade hunters even recovered 3000 lb. boulders of this material! Most of was sold overseas. The Chicago Museum has a huge boulder of this jade in their collection. Very little of it still remains on the jade field, it was picked over many times. New erosion brings samples up now and again, but for the most part the only places you will find jade of this particular color is in estate collections. The odd piece surfaces for sale from time to time, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to find. My plan for this small piece is to bevel the edges and polish it up, and then have it set in a gold setting as a pendant for my wife. I'll post pics when I'm done with it, but I thought you would enjoy seeing a piece of this exceptional jade in its raw form...thanks for looking! MikeS
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Post by Toad on Mar 22, 2010 14:06:14 GMT -5
Thanks for the history. Looks like it will make a nice piece.
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wyobrian
fully equipped rock polisher
GO VIKINGS
Member since February 2009
Posts: 1,739
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Post by wyobrian on Mar 22, 2010 14:24:09 GMT -5
very cool Mike can't wait too see it done Brian
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mc2
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2009
Posts: 1,147
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Post by mc2 on Mar 22, 2010 17:55:34 GMT -5
Wow, that is some really nice material. I look forward to seeing the finished item. I bet it will be fantastic!
Mike
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Mar 22, 2010 18:33:17 GMT -5
That's very nice. Thanks for the history behind it.
Nate
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Post by drocknut on Mar 23, 2010 0:41:15 GMT -5
I didn't even know there was jade in Wyoming, thanks for sharing the pic and the information.
Diane
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Post by rockrookie on Mar 23, 2010 18:02:16 GMT -5
Awesome color !! --paul
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MikeS
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2009
Posts: 1,081
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Post by MikeS on Mar 24, 2010 8:52:07 GMT -5
I didn't even know there was jade in Wyoming, thanks for sharing the pic and the information. Diane Yeah, some of the highest quality nephrite in the world comes from central Wyoming. There was a "jade rush" to the Wyoming plains in the late 30's and 40's, much of the fine material has been removed, but there is still some out there........
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SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
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Post by SteveHolmes on Mar 25, 2010 7:27:01 GMT -5
Great Story Mike and can't wait to see the finished piece. It will become a Family Heirloom. Steve
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Mar 25, 2010 20:51:01 GMT -5
Thats a pretty piece.
snuffy
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leadhand
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2009
Posts: 262
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Post by leadhand on Mar 27, 2010 9:04:11 GMT -5
nice piece
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Post by frane on Mar 29, 2010 15:46:11 GMT -5
I am glad you rediscovered it and will make it into the treasure it is meant to be! Looking forward to the final pictures! Fran
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Post by gaetzchamp on Mar 31, 2010 14:18:45 GMT -5
Gorgeous!!!!
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