State Gemstone of the Fifty-States

State Gemstone and State Gems

Gemstones are one of nature's rarest products. The three attributes that a gemstone must possess are rarity, beauty and color. Even in prehistoric times, people were attracted to pretty pebbles, and when combined with translucency or even transparency with color, they were highly prized for their beauty and durability.

Important Characteristics

The color is a gemstone's most important and individual characteristic. The blending of the various colors or tints of the same color and the various designs and patterns produced as they are by nature, give such gemstone an individual appeal that makes each one unique.

Another sought after quality is a high luster. Amber and some garnet have a resinous luster, while turquoise is sometimes described as "waxy". Luster does not give a stone brilliance. In certain gemstones brilliance is produced by the skillful cutting of the stone's facets in such a way that they reflect light like mirrors, making the whole stone bright and shining when viewed from the top.

These are the main characteristics which give gemstones their unique appearance and which distinguish them from other minerals. There is, however, a most important attribute which gemstones should posses: permanence.

Gemstone of the Fifty-States.