List of State Gems and Gemstones

The compilation of US state gemstones offers us an interesting glimpse into the various geological treasures and the natural wonders one may find across the country. To date, thirty-seven of the 50 states have designated an official gem or gemstone. Some states have named an official state mineral or rock, but not a gemstone; while some have designated a state mineral, official rocks, and state gemstones separately. While some gemstones are quite rare, there are also a few colorful rocks that are unpretentious, inexpensive stones but with significant democratic and symbolic value.

In this article, we have provided a descriptive list of the US state gemstones. It is pertinent to note that the list is not a definitive one, as some states do not have a declared official state gemstone in which case we have mentioned some gemstones found in that region.

The Alabama official state gemstone is the Star Blue Quartz, which was designated as the official gemstone in 1990. This beautiful gemstone is found in abundance in Alabama and hence one of the least expensive ones in the state that has otherwise a rich variety of various gemstones and minerals.

The official gemstone of Alaska is Jade. Alaska has ample reserves of this usually greenish-colored stone with most of it present on the Seward Peninsula. It may also be found in other colors including yellow, black, white, or red. Its color and shine make jade a popular choice for use in carvings and jewelry.

Turquoise was designated as Arizona‘s official gemstone in 1974. The beauty of this bluish-green stone is acknowledged worldwide. The stone comprises hydrous oxides of copper and aluminum. It is found throughout the southwest and has been used in the native jewelry beads, mosaics, and carvings in the region for centuries.

The gemstone of the state of Arkansas is diamond, which was designated as its official gemstone in 1967. In fact, Arkansas is the only state in the US with the diamond as its state gem. It is also the only state where visitors can hunt for diamonds at the Crater of Diamonds State Park. The stone is so important for Arkansas that it is also displayed on the state flag.

Benitoite, the rare gemstone, was declared the official state gemstone in 1985. First discovered in 1907 in the mountains of Saint Benito, Benitoite is found in only a few places in the world, California being one of them. The beautiful color of this brilliant blue mineral makes it a much sought-after stone for use in jewelry and as a collector’s item. 

 The official state gemstone of Colorado is Aquamarine, which was given its official status in 1971. In Colorado, Aquamarine crystals are mostly found in the White Mountains and the famous Mount Antero. Aquamarine crystals display a wide variation in colors ranging from light blue and pale blue colors to deep shades of the signature aquamarine green.

There is no official Connecticut gemstone, but it does have an official state mineral, the Almandine Garnet. Some of the gems found in Connecticut include topaz, rose quartz, amethyst, and aquamarine among others.

Like its predecessor, Delaware too does not have a state gem but an official mineral, Sillimanite. Originally discovered in 1830, this mineral is found in abundance in the Delaware Piedmont schists. 

The official gemstone of Florida is Moonstone and has been such since 1970. While the Moonstone is not really found in the state, lawmakers named it their official state gem to honor their space program. This gem is often used in jewelry and is liked for its unique and fascinating appearance.

 The Georgia official state gemstone Quartz was designated the same in 1976.  Quartz is abundant in Georgia and comes in an array of colors. The state legislation acknowledged two distinct variants of quartz; amethyst, primarily preferred for its use in jewelry, and clear quartz, known for its resemblance to a diamond when expertly faceted.

The Black Coral has been Hawaii’s official state gemstone since 1987. While it is not technically a gemstone, it is considered a precious organic material and is used similarly to gemstones in jewelry making. However, it is notable that the harvesting and trade of black coral are strictly regulated in many places to protect fragile deep-sea ecosystems where it is found.

Idaho’s official state gem, the Star Garnet is popular worldwide but found mostly in Idaho, Benewah, and Latah. The stone is usually plum or dark purple in color with four and sometimes six rays in the star. Its unique appearance makes it a much-coveted collector’s item for jewelry making.

There is no official Illinois gemstone, but it does have a state mineral named Fluorite. Illinois is also home to various rocks and minerals, including Dolostone, Flourite, Agate, Geodes, etc.

Indiana does not have an official gemstone, but an official rock, Limestone. Some gemstones found in Indiana include topaz and moonstone.

Iowa also does not have an official gemstone, but it has a state rock called Geode. Iowa is also famous for gemstones, including amethysts and Freshwater Pearls.

Since 2019, Jelinite has been the official Kansas gemstone. Previously known as Kansasite, it is a type of amber that was originally extracted from the bedrock close to the Smoky Hill River. The first documented discovery of this precious stone dates back to 1937-38.

The Kentucky state government designated Fresh Water Pearl as its official gemstone in 1986. Also the state gem of Tennessee, Fresh Water Pearl is a mineraloid having an irregular form and various hues. The stone is made by freshwater mussels and is usually found in the Mississippi River and Tennessee River Valley. 

The official Louisiana state gemstone is Agate. It is a vibrant and colorful variant of Chalcedony. The stone has intricate patterns and bands, is somewhat translucent, and features moss-like inclusions. It is popular for use in making decorative items and jewelry.

Tourmaline has been the official Maine gemstone since 1971. It varies widely in colors from the basic white or black to the bright hues of blue, green, or red. When considered individually, the crystals may appear completely transparent or somewhat opaque and in other cases may feature a single or multiple colors.

Maryland’s official state gem is the Patuxent River Stone. It is an agate found exclusively in Maryland and has brilliant yellow and red hues which are also represented in the colors of the state flag. These stones have a beautifully radiant and sheer appearance making them perfect for jewelry making once they are cut and refined.

The official Massachusetts state gemstone is Rhodonite. It was given the official status in 1979. Rhodonite is one of the most beautiful gems and comes in shades of pink, from light pink to reddish and rose pink. 

Since 1973, the official Michigan state gemstone is Chlorastolite. Also known commonly as Isle Royale Greenstone or simply greenstone, it is a variant of Pumpellynite, a mineral. It is bluish-green in color with small crystal-like patterns that appear like stars, giving the gemstone the appearance of a turtle-back.

The Lake Superior Agate was designated as the official state gemstone of Minnesota in 1969. The stone is characterized by its exceptionally beautiful quartz composition with striking bands of orange and red, which are mainly due to the iron ore in the soil. The gem is primarily located in northeastern and north-central Minnesota. While most stones are very small like a pea, some reach sizes akin to bowling balls, weighing even more than 20 pounds.

 The Mississippi state government recently designated the Mississippi opal as its official gemstone. It is the only gem that is produced within the state. This gem stands out due to its distinctiveness, displaying opal-like flashes that vary in colors from red to orange to green.

While Missouri may not have an official state gem it does have an official rock, the orange-golden shaded Mozarkite.

As of 1969, there are two official Montana state gemstones, Montana Agate and Sapphire. Agate is a variant of chalcedony and comes in many colors. Sapphire is mostly found in the western part of the state and is brilliant blue like brilliant glass. Sapphires undergo diamond-like cutting to make stunning jewelry pieces. 

Interestingly, during the gold rush era, miners discarded the now incredibly valuable gemstones. Montana sapphires have now gained international recognition, with some even present in the Royal Crown Jewels of England.

Blue Chalcedony or Blue Agate has been the official gemstone of Nebraska since 1967. It is mostly found in northwestern Nebraska, where it developed within wind-blown silt and claystone deposits in the Chadron Formation in the Oligocene Age. It is a light-hued stone, rarely featuring a dark internal formation with sporadic bands of blue and white, that is often accompanied by a colorless streak. 

The Virgin Valley Black Fire Opal and Turquoise have been the official Nevada state gemstone and semi-precious gemstone since 1987. The Virgin Valley Black Fire Opal is found in Northern Nevada in the Virgin Valley. On the other hand, the Nevada Turquoise is found in multiple parts of the state and is also called the Jewel of the Desert.

The official New Hampshire state gem is the Smoky Quartz. Also referred to as cairngorms, it was designated as the official state gem in 1985. Quartz is present in various rock types, including granite, the official state rock of New Hampshire. 

New Jersey does not have an official state gemstone; however, it has a state mineral named Franklinite. Some gemstones found in New Jersey include quartz, amethyst, opal, amber, etc.

In 1967 Turquoise was labelled as the official New Mexico state gemstone. This beautifully vibrant green-to-blue stone is popularly used for making jewelry and décor pieces.

The official New York gemstone is Garnet. New York State is the largest producer of garnets in the US and the fourth largest in the world. The largest garnet mine in the world is the Barton Mine in the Adirondack Mountains in New York. 

The official state gem of North Carolina has been Emerald since 1973. The beautiful green crystal is mostly found in Mitchell County in the southwest of Spruce Pine and Alexander County near Hiddenite. 

North Dakota does not have an official state gemstone but it is home to various gemstones including barite, hematite, dolomite, etc.

The Ohio state government adopted the Ohio Flint as its official state gem in 1965. It is found mostly in the central and eastern parts of the state and is a popular option for jewelry making. It comes in various color combinations including black, gray, white, yellow, blue, green, pink, and red.

There is no Oklahoma state gemstone. However, it does have an official rock, Barite Rose, and mineral/crystal, the Hourglass Selenite.

The official Oregon state gemstone is Sunstone. This stone alone has been a major contributor towards increasing tourism in the area as it has attracted many collectors and miners, thereby benefiting the state economy. It has a highly appealing appearance due to its uniqueness in terms of color, clarity, and composition.

Pennsylvania does not have an official state gem; however, it boasts many notable gems, including rose quartz, blue quartz, amethysts, and chalcedony.

Rhode Island also does not have an official state gem. Its official mineral however is Bowenite, which can be considered a semi-precious gemstone due to its relation to jade. Bowenite is mostly found in the northern region of the state.

 The official state gem of South Carolina is Amethyst, which was designated in 1969. South Carolina is one of the three US states where good quality amethyst can be found. It is one of the most prized stones due to its beautiful color and shade.

The official state gemstone is the semi-precious Fairburn Agate. Popular among collectors and jewelry makers, it was discovered near Fairburn in South Dakota. 

 Like Kentucky, the state gemstone of Tennessee is also Pearl since 1979. The beautiful river pearl is obtained from the state’s freshwater rivers and is created by the Mussels. Tennessee has some of the most beautiful pearls in the world that are known for their beautiful colors and unique shapes. 

The official state gemstone of Texas is Blue Topaz. It was designated as the official state gem in 1969.

Topaz is available in a variety of colors, with the golden orange-yellow variation, known as “imperial topaz,” that holds the highest value. While topaz is customarily known to have a sky-blue shade, it seldom has a deep blue tone; which is usually achieved via heat treatment of colorless or light-hued stones. While Brazil and Russia have the biggest deposits of topaz, there are deposits in Mexico and the USA as well, specifically Texas, Colorado, and Utah.

The official Utah state gemstone is the semi-precious Topaz. The beautiful stone is found mostly in Juab County of Utah on Thomas Mountain. It is also found in other countries including Tooele and Beaver. Topaz is a hard and transparent crystal with a variety of hues. 

The official state gem of Vermont has been the Grossular Garnet since 1991. Its composition is a calcium-aluminum silicate with traces of other garnet species and andradite.  Its colors vary from greens to yellows, browns, and reds. It is known for its durability and is often used in rings, earrings, and other jewelry pieces.

Virginia does not have an official state gemstone but is known for various beautiful gemstones, including facet-grade microlite, rare pessartine garnet, fine moonstone, topaz, and amazonite among others.

The official Washington state gemstone is Petrified Wood since 1975. In reality, it is not a gemstone but a fossil. However since it is hard like a rock and looks like a precious gem when polished, it is considered a gemstone.

West Virginia’s official state gem has been the Mississippian Fossil Coral since 1990. Like Petrified Wood, it is technically not a gemstone, but a silicified fossil. It is found in geological formations and showcases the complex structures of long-extinct coral species. With their unique patterns and historical significance, Mississippian Fossil Coral is highly valued by collectors and enthusiasts, offering a glimpse into Earth’s ancient marine ecosystems. 

Wisconsin does not have an official state gem, but it has a state rock named Nelsonite. Other commonly found gemstones include agate, jasper, azurite, bornite, quartzite, etc.

Jade (Nephrite) was designated the official Wyoming state gemstone in 1967. When the stone was discovered in the state in the 1930s, it led to the Jade rush which lasted for many years attracting collectors and visitors from various places. It varies in colors from almost white to a very dark green color and the nephrite variety of Jade that is the official Wyoming state gem has an oily shine to it.