State Rocks & Stones
State Rocks and Stones
Official State Rocks and Stones
States in the U.S. which have significant mineral deposits often create a state mineral, rock, stone or gemstone to promote interest in their natural resources, history, tourism, etc. Not every state has an official state mineral, rock, stone and/or gemstone, however.
In geology, a rock or stone is
a naturally occurring solid aggregate of one or more minerals or mineraloids. For example, the common rock granite is a combination of the quartz,
feldspar and biotite minerals. The Earth's outer solid layer, the lithosphere, is made of rock. Rocks can also be composed of solid organic matter,
coal is an example.
Rocks and stones have been used by mankind throughout history. From the Stone Age rocks have been used for tools. The minerals and metals found in
rocks have been essential to human civilization.
Three major groups of rocks are defined: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. The scientific study of rocks is called petrology, which is an essential
component of geology.
At least twenty-five states have declared official state rocks or state stones.
In the chart below, a year which is listed the year during which that rock or stone was officially adopted as a State symbol or emblem.
Minerals, & Gems
Gemstone, Minerals, Rocks
