Did you know that Thirty-five of the 50 states have designated an official state gem. (Montana and Nevada have named both a precious and semiprecious gemstone.) A gemstone is not necessarily a sparkling crystal—the majority of state gemstones are not crystalline minerals, but colorful rocks that look their best as flat, polished cabochons, perhaps in a bolo tie or belt buckle.
Have you ever wondered what your State Gem stone is? Well, here is a fun list that just might help you!
Alabama: Star blue quartz
Alaska: Jade
Arizona: Turquoise
Arkansas: Diamond
California: Benitoite
...Colorado: Aquamarine
Florida: Moonstone
Georgia: Quartz
Hawaii: Black coral
Idaho: Star garnet
Kentucky: Freshwater pearl
Louisiana: Agate
Maine: Tourmaline
Maryland: Agate
Massachusetts: Rhodonite
Michigan: Chlorastrolite
Minnesota: Agate
Montana: Sapphire and Agate
Nebraska: Blue agate
Nevada: Turquoise and Fire opal
New Hampshire: Smoky quartz
New Mexico: Turquoise
New York: Almandine garnet
North Carolina: Emerald
Ohio: Flint
Oregon: Sunstone
South Carolina: Amethyst
South Dakota: Agate
Tennessee: Freshwater pearls
Texas: Topaz
Utah: Topaz
Vermont: Grossular garnet
Washington: Petrified wood
West Virginia: Fossil coral Lithostrotionella
Wyoming: Nephrite jade
Did you also know that there are certain stones designated for Wedding anniversaries? I found a list for those as well!
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY STONES:
1st Anniversary - Gold Jewelry
Alternate: Peridot
2nd Anniversary - Garnet
3rd Anniversary - Pearls
...Alternate: Jade
4th Anniversary - Blue Topaz
Alternate: Blue Zircon
5th Anniversary - Sapphire
Alternate: Pink Tourmaline
6th Anniversary - Amethyst
Alternate: Turquoise
7th Anniversary - Onyx
Alternates: Yellow Sapphire, Golden Beryl
8th Anniversary - Tourmaline
Alternate: Tanzanite
9th Anniversary - Lapis Lazuli
Alternates: Amethyst, Green Spinel
10th Anniversary - Diamond Jewelry
Alternate:Blue Sapphire
11th Anniversary - Turquoise
Alternates: Citrine, Yellow Zircon
12th Anniversary - Jade
Alternate: Opal
13th Anniversary - Citrine
Alternates: Moonstone, Hawk's Eye
14th Anniversary - Opal
Alternates: Agate, Bloodstone
15th Anniversary - Ruby
Alternates: Rhodolite Garnet, Alexandrite
16th Anniversary - Peridot (evening emerald)
Alternate: Red Spinel
17th Anniversary - Watches
Alternate: Carnelian
18th Anniversary - Cat's Eye or Chrysoberyl
Alternate:Aquamarine
19th Anniversary - Aquamarine
Alternate:Almandine Garnet
20th Anniversary - Emerald
Alternate: Yellow or Golden Diamond
21st Anniversary - Iolite
22nd Anniversary - Spinel
23rd Anniversary - Imperial Topaz
24th Anniversary - Tanzanite
25th Anniversary - Silver Jubilee
Alternates: Tsavorite , Green Garnet
30th Anniversary - Pearl Jubilee
35th Anniversary - Emerald
40th Anniversary - Ruby
45th Anniversary - Sapphire
Alternate: Cat's Eye
50th Anniversary - Golden Jubilee
Alternate: Imperial or Golden Topaz
55th Anniversary - Alexandrite
60th Anniversary - Diamond Jubilee
Alternate: Star Ruby
65th Anniversary - Blue Spinel
70th Anniversary - Sapphire Jubilee
Alternate: Smoky Quartz
75th Anniversary - Diamond Jubilee
80th Anniversary - Ruby Jubilee
So...the next time you are wondering what to get her for your Anniversary, you'll know there are many choices, but gem stone jewelry is sure to be a winner!!
