Jade is the state gem of Alaska. You have a Jade mountain made of
"dark green" jade in the remote Seward peninsula. Alaskan Jade is
generally found in the Dall, Shungnak and Kobuk rivers.
I collect Nephrite Jade, which is what is found in Alaska. Please
google images of Pectolite and Alaskan Nephrite. Nephrite Jade is
found in Alaska, British Columbia (Canada), California (google Big
Sur Jade) and Wyoming. There is an article on Alaska Jade in “Gems
and Gemology” in the late 1980s’. The GIA may still have some copies
available for sale. I have never received pectolite when I have
bought Alaskan Jade. While Pectolite and Nephrite have overlapping
refractive index readings(pectolite 1.59 to 1.64 nephrite 1.60 to
1.63) there are several differences (besides visual) Pectolite is
flourescent, nephrite jade is not. Pectolite has perfect cleavage,
Nephrite does not -it has a characteristic splintery break. Nephrite
is denser than pectolite (Nephrite Specific gravity 2.90 to 3.02 and
Pectolite SG of 2.62 to 2.87).Last but not least Nephrite jade is
affected by warm acids (would need repolishing) while Pectolite will
be dissolved by Hydrochloric acid.(Hydrochloric- Muriatic acid the
same, Hydrocloric acid is part of gold testing acids.). Any
competent Graduate Gemologist should be able to verify what you have
is Nephrite Jade VS Pectolite. I am not sure what “credible gemology
and websites” you refer to.
May I recommend “Handbook of Gem Identification” by Richard T.
Liddicoat. This book is invaluable to beginning Gemologists and old
ones’ too!
Best Regards,
Cecelia Gettemy, Graduate Gemologist (1995)