Oklahoma State Crystal

Hourglass Selenite Crystal

Adopted in 2005.

The Hourglass Selenite Crystal was

adopted in 2005 as Oklahoma's State Crystal.

A group of Oklahoma school children thought it was high time one of the state's naturally occurring gems got official recognition—and State Senator Kathleen Wilcoxson worked to make sure the gem and the students had a chance to shine. She's filed legislation to make Selenite Crystal the state's official gemstone.

The proposal came to Sen. Wilcoxson from 105 students in the third through sixth grade at Bryant and Red Oak schools. The students are part of the Moore School District's Gifted and Talented program known as S.E.A.R.C.H., which stands for "Students Experiencing Appropriate Research and Creative Happenings."

"I am so impressed with these children. They had done their research and found that 15 states already have an official gemstone. They proposed Selenite Crystal of Oklahoma's Great Salt Plains to be Oklahoma's official gemstone because of its unique characteristics," said Wilcoxson, R-OKC.

Selenite crystals are formed just under a wafer thin salt crust found on a portion of the salt flats. Ground water travels through the salt-saturated sand and comes to the surface where it evaporates, leaving the crust of salt. The concentrated saline solution combines with gypsum to promote selenite crystal growth. Because these crystals form in wet soil, sand and clay particles are included within the crystal. These particles often form an "hourglass" shape, found only at the Salt Plains. According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, iron oxide in the soil gives the crystals their reddish to chocolate brown color.

Sen. David Myers, R-Ponca City, will serve as co-author of the measure. Rep. Paul Wesselhoft, R-Moore and Rep. Jeff Hickman, R-Woodward will serve as House authors.

"What an incredible lesson for these students. They've learned about geology, geography, research and state government. I'm hopeful they'll be able to see their proposal make it all the way to the Governor's desk during the 2005 legislative session," Wilcoxson said.

The 2005 session formally got underway on February 7, and SB 4 by Sen. Kathleen Wilcoxson and Rep. Paul Wesselhoft makes hourglass selenite crystal the official state crystal. The bill in emergency session passed 92-3.