Many US states have official symbols, including birds, flowers, trees, and stones. These symbols represent the state’s history, natural resources, and economic exports. Some states have multiple stones, while others have none. Gems, minerals, and rocks are all used as state symbols.
Many states in the United States (US) choose official symbols to represent the state to locals and visitors. These official symbols help project the desired image and pride and can help promote tourism and travel. State symbols also serve as a way to celebrate history or pay tribute to the state’s natural resources and economic exports. While it’s fairly standard for states to choose an official bird, flower, or tree, many have also selected a state stone. These state stones come in different geological forms, including rocks, gemstones, and minerals.
Not all states have an official stone, although most have chosen at least one form of geological symbol. As of July 2011, only 21 states have an official state ore, while 27 have a state stone or rock. Thirty-five of the 50 U.S. states are represented by a gemstone, and many also have official soils or rivers to complement these other geological symbols.
Officials or citizens often select a state stone based on materials found in large quantities within that particular region. Others choose a material for the impact it has had on the state, both throughout history and the present day. A state stone could represent an important natural resource, a source of pride, or a major economic attraction. These types of symbols help define the state to outsiders and play an important role in developing the image of the state.
Many states have multiple state stones or rocks, while others have none. For example, Tennessee has two official rocks and Vermont has three. Limestone, sandstone, and agate are some of the most common state stones, although many have also declared marble and granite types to be the official state rock. In Mississippi, the official stone is petrified wood, while agatized coral serves as the registered rock in Florida. Connecticut gets its nickname “The Brownstone State” from its official stone, the brownstone.
Both Missouri and Wisconsin have named galena as the official state mineral, while Kentucky has that honor given to coal. Nevada and Texas celebrate silver as the official mineral of both states. Alaska, California, and North Carolina all list gold as a state mineral, reflecting major gold rushes that have occurred in these areas.
State gems range from the Arkansas diamond to the black coral of Hawaii. Numerous states have selected agate, turquoise or garnet as their official gemstone, while both Kentucky and Tennessee have chosen the freshwater pearl. Montana and Nevada each have two official gemstone states, and Texas even has an official gemstone cut known as the “Lone Star Cut.”
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