Wyoming Black Jade and Opal Triplet Pendant in Sterling

1.75" H X 1.25" W X .5" D

Wyoming Jade is nephrite. Sinkankas (1959) considered Wyoming Jade to be some of the finest nephrite in the world, against which material from all other deposits must be compared.

Nephrite is a calcium magnesium silicate varying in composition from actinolite to tremolite. Variations in chemistry are responsible for a wide range of colors extending from white to black, with rare occurrences of blue and off-white. However, most common nephrite jade is of varying shades of green such as apple, emerald, leaf, and olive. The green color results from the presence of reduced iron, with varying contributions from other elements.

Opal Triplet: Chips of Boulder opal are arranged in a matrix for maximum color play and shimmer. Opal triplets combine natural opal with layers of other materials. A thin slice of natural opal is assembled between a slice of black onyx and a glass top that protects the natural opal.