The official list of US state gemstones, minerals, rocks and stones

USA: discover the official list of US State gemstones, minerals, rocks and stones | Photo: Shutterstock

The United States of America has a wide variety of ore and mineral deposits, and nearly all 50 States have named a stone, gem, or rock that is regionally common and abundant.

There are more than 5,000 minerals on planet Earth, according to the International Mineralogical Association (IMA). Not all can be precious; not all are considered to be rare.

The USA is not known for its large gemstone mining industry.

Actually, there are less than 1500 workers searching for precious minerals nationwide. Roughly 99.9 percent of all gems bought in the US come from foreign markets.

However, in Uncle Sam’s territory, it is possible to find and mine nearly all precious and semi-precious stones. Arizona, for example, is one of the richest States, and it is famous for its intense turquoise.

Some US States have officially adopted a mineral. Others have picked two gems, and there’s one – Louisiana – that chose a gemstone cut and a precious stone.

The first US State to officially name its gem was Nebraska, back in 1943.

Five US States have not elected any gem, mineral, rock, or stone. They are Kansas, New Jersey, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

Discover which US State adopted a particular gemstone, mineral, rock, and stone.

US State

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Gemstones, Minerals, Rocks, and Stones | Date of Adoption

Star Blue Quartz (1990), Hematite (1967), Marble (1969)
Jade (1968), Gold (1968)
Turquoise (1974)
Diamond (1967), Quartz Crystal (1967), Bauxite (1967)
Benitoite (1985), Gold (1965), Serpentine (1965)
Aquamarine (1971), Rhodochrosite (2002), Yule Marble (2004)
Garnet (1977)
Sillimanite (1977)
Moonstone (1970), Agatized Coral (1979)
Quartz (1976), Staurolite (1976)
Black Coral (1987)
Star Garnet (1967)
Fluorite (1965)
Limestone (1971)
Geode (1967)

Freshwater Pearl (1986), Coal (1988), Kentucky Agate (2000)
Cabochon Cut (2011), Agate (2011)
Tourmaline (1971)
Patuxent River Stone (2004)
Rhodonite (1979), Babingtonite (1971), Granite (1983), Dighton Rock (1983), Plymouth Rock (1983), Roxbury Puddingstone (1983)
Chlorastrolite (1972), Petoskey Stone (1965)
Lake Superior Agate (1969)
Petrified Wood (1976)
Galena (1967), Mozarkite (1967)
Montana Agate (1969), Sapphire (1969)
Blue Agate (1967), Prairie Agate (1967)
Virgin Valley Black Fire Opal (1987), Nevada Turquoise (1987), Sandstone (1987)
Smoky Quartz (1985), Beryl (1985), Granite (1985)

Turquoise (1967)
Garnet (1969)
Emerald (1973), Gold (2011), Granite (1979)

Ohio Flint (1965)
Barite Rose (1968), Hourglass Selenite Crystal (2005)
Sunstone (1987), Thunderegg (1965)

Bowenite (1966), Cumderlandite (1966)
Amethyst (1969), Blue Granite (1969)
Fairburn Agate (1966), Rose Quartz (1966), Black Hills Gold (1966)
Tennessee Pearl (1979), Agate (2009), Limestone (1979)
Blue Topaz (1969), Petrified Palmwood (1969), Silver (2007)
Topaz (1969), Copper (1994), Coal (1991)
Grossular Garnet (1992), Talc (1992), Marble (1992), Granite (1992), Slate (1992)

Petrified Wood (1975)
Chalcedony (1990), Bituminous Coal (2009)
Galena (1971), Red Granite (1971)
Jade (1967)

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