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Leaders of states in the U.S. which have significant mineral deposits often create a state mineral, rock, stone or gemstone to promote interest in their natural resources, history, tourism, etc. Not every state has an official state mineral, rock, stone and/or gemstone, however.
Wyoming Jade, the Wyoming state gemstone, is the most famous of the state’s geologic treasures. Wyoming also hosts diamonds, corundum (sapphire and ruby), opal, peridot, iolite (gem-quality cordierite), agate, petrified wood, and quartz crystals.
The 10th largest state by land, Wyoming contains some of the best potential caches of gemstones and minerals in the world. The Cowboy State features all three of the major rock types, igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary, where prospectors may well begin their quest.
Wyoming’s state gemstone is nephrite jade, which is considered high quality and durable, and is relatively abundant in the Cowboy State. Colors can range from white to black, but various shades of green are most common.
Wyoming is known for its abundant Fluorite in regions with limestone and granite formations. Keep an eye out for crystals that exhibit a wide range of colors. All you’ll need is a shovel and a pickaxe to uncover these treasures. In Wyoming, Fluorite is predominantly found in shades of purple and green.
In general, the best places to find crystals and gemstones in Wyoming are washes and draws across the western half of the state, particularly near Kemmerer, Atlantic City, and Rock Springs. Quartz crystals can also be found northeast of Buffalo and in Box Elder Canyon.
Wyoming, USA – Often referred to as “Wyoming jade,” this unique gemstone, with its moderate hardness and remarkable durability, is prized for its suitability in crafting intricate figures and exquisite jewelry pieces.
The jade came primarily from Wyoming, with the wide variety of greens, blues, and other unusual colors of jade resulting from years of searching across the central part of the state by Mr. and Mrs. Allan Branham of Lander, Wyoming. Some of the jade also came from Alaska, Arizona, and California.
Industrial minerals such as bentonite (first described in Wyoming), gypsum, aggregate, crushed stone, chemical-grade limestone, decorative stone, and trona, play a continuing role in the state’s economy. In fact, Wyoming’s trona resources, an estimated 127 billion tons, are the largest in the world.
Several specimens of jade will be on display at the Wyoming State Geological Survey (WSGS) starting this month in celebration of the 50 years it has been Wyoming’s state gemstone. The WSGS building is on the University of Wyoming campus in Laramie.