United States Gemstones - Mines and Mining
Gemstones have been produced in what is now the United States for thousands of years. Native Americans produced
turquoise, flint, amber, shells, obsidian and other materials for use in jewelry, beads, carvings and tools. In the southwest they mined turquoise and used it to make earrings and pendants. Along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts shells were used as gemstones and ornaments. The use of flint for making tools and ornaments was widespread.
The first commercial gemstone mine in the United States that was operated by miners other than Native Americans was at Mount Mica, Maine. There a large deposit of tourmaline was discovered by two boys in 1820. Two years later a mine was opened which has yielded thousands of carats of gem quality crystals. The three cut tourmalines above are from the Dunton
Quarry, Newry, Oxford County, Maine (left 29.67 carats, middle 20.01 carats, right 27.43 carats). Photo by Thuss Photography. Used with permission of the Maine State Museum. |
Native Americans produced gemstone materials, used them locally and sometimes traded them across great distances. Obsidian can be used as evidence of this trade. It is a volcanic glass that is available in limitad areas; however, it was used in tools and ornaments by Native Americans throughout North America. This wide distribution is evidence of a significant trade in obsidian.
What Gemstones Are Mined in the United States?
About 60 types of gemstones have been produced in the United States. The most important gemstones in current production include: agates, amber, beryl, coral, garnet, jade, jasper, opal, pearls, peridot, quartz, sapphire, shell, topaz, tourmaline, turquoise and others. These stones are used for jewelry, carvings and as specimens by gem and mineral collectors.
The Minerals Yearbook, published
by the U.S. Geological Survey uses the word "gemstone" for "any mineral or organic material - such as amber, pearl, petrified wood and shell - that is used for
personal adornment, display or art object because of its beauty, durability and rarity." That definition will be used throughout this article. |
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