Alaskan Jade
On June 24, 1968 jade was designated the “Official Gemstone of Alaska”. Alaskan jade is nephrite, which is a tough, translucent stone that is challenging to carve, but it will withstand the test of time. It has a hardness of 5-6, and specific gravity of 3.0-3.3. It is hydrous silicate of calcium and magnesium with varying amounts of iron which gives it its green color.
It is thought that the ancient peoples of Alaska used jade for adornment and tools until contact by the Russians who introduced them to iron and other metals. In 1883 a Lieutenant of the U.S. Navy discovered Jade Mountain near the arctic circle where much of this jade is thought to have come from.
Most of the jade used in the carvings and jewelry that we currently have is from British Columbia. We are building some pieces of jewelry using Alaskan jade and can send pictures on request.