Official State Gemstone and Gems

State Gemstone and State Gem of the Fifty-States

Gemstones are so fascinating! Gems colors, properties, myths, and legends are diverse and fascinating. Folklore about stones has been revered and honored for centuries in all cultures.

Much of the gemstone history comes from archeological discoveries, and ancient writings. They are often found in burial sites where they were meant to protect and accompany their owner into the next life

Soft, opaque stones were the first gemstone beads. By 2,500 B.C. carnelian, lapis lazuli, and rock crystal were in use.

Colorful gemstones were first found on the earth’s surface. There is evidence of gemstone mining of lapis lazuli in Afghanistan as early as 5,000 BC. In 3,000 BC, There was mining of turquoise in the Sinai peninsula and of emeralds in Egypt. Amber was traded in the areas around the Baltic Sea. In North and South America turquoise was mined.

Find profiles of each of the US states that have official State Gemstone or Gems. Access state minerals, rocks, stones, and other symbols.