Vacationing in Arkansas, Nancy Meyers and Kathy Smith stop at a museum to admire a 5-foot-tall quartz crystal called “the Holy Grail.” Bill and Betty Price and their two young daughters sift through a pile of dirt in western Maine looking for gemstones. During a visit to Kentucky to celebrate his wife Evelyn’s 40th birthday, Tom McAllister buys her jewelry fashioned from locally gathered pearls.
Several states throughout the country have deposits of minerals, rock, and stone that are mined and often made available for people to find, keep or buy. Some designate an official state gemstone or other material, hoping to promote interest in their natural resources, history, and tourism.
Gemstones especially serve as magnets for visitors interested in purchasing something of value to wear and display when they return home. Other minerals and substances also have their fans. An internet search can provide information about official state gemstones and other natural treasures around the country. Some locations might be close to where you live.
