Big Sur Vulcan Nephrite Jade Stone From Monterey California #21.

All natural specimen has been ocean polished by continuous wave action.

An excellent addition to any Jade collection.

The terrace at Jade Cove has slowly lifted up out of the Pacific Ocean over about 10 million years. As the ocean floor expands, a large nephrite deposit has traveled along with this mountain building activity. 

This ancient sea terrace is loaded with iron rich soil. Nephrite is the toughest stone (not the hardest) in the world. It is porous though and the iron will absorb and stain the Jade brown, red, yellow and orange.

Some of the iron stained jade falls out of the cliff and back into the great ocean tumbler. Wave action smooths out the rough edges over thousands of years. 

Jade weighs 193 grams or 6.8 ounces.

Measures 86 X 73 X 20 mm.