As I continue to journey through birthplace stones of the USA, I
decide to go to check out options for the big state of Texas.
TOPAZ - The official Texas state gemstone (since
1969) is Blue Topaz and the state also has a special state
cut called Lone
Star used for turning gemstone rough into jewelry quality
stones. Topaz for jewelry is covered in birthstones post
of this blog (Blue=December, Gold=November).
Next time you visit Texas, consider going to dig for topaz as
part of the trip..
PEARLS - Yes, Texas has
pearls. Some Texas lakes
and rivers are known for edible oysters
and some mussels
that produce freshwater
pearls. These mussels are mostly harvested
for “beads” to start cultivating larger pearls in China. Texas even has its own rare Concho
pearl which comes in pink –peach-purple colors and irregular
shapes, rather than the normal white round people think of when they hear
pearls. Few of these rare pearls are
jewel quality, although still nice collector items. A Concho pearl that is gem quality usually made into jewelry
by local artisans. Mother of pearl from
the mussel shells is experience resurgence in jewelry as a low-cost gemstone
alternative and because it can be carved for additional interest. Before this new interest, mother of pearl was
mostly featured in Native American jewelry and buttons for clothing in the West. Unfortunately, Texas mussels do not create highly
lustrous mother of pearl, so it is mainly the exported nuclei
for future imported pearls of the East.
Now that you know about Texas pearls, find out what is happening in the little
known world of Texas mussels, clams, and oysters.
MORE - Texas offers lots of gemstones besides the state stone of Blue
Topaz. In Central Texas you can prospect for:
agate (chalcedony, onyx), feldspar,
fluorite, garnet, jasper, opal,
tourmaline, and quartz gemstone rough. Or search for the precious metals
of copper, gold, pyrite, silver. or other ores.
Maybe you are not a gem hunter or pearl diver, but still a rock hound - you can
find different rocks,
geodes, and fossils in
Texas too. Yes, Dinosaurs have been found in
Texas! Before doing any digging or diving anywhere
in Texas, make sure you have the appropriate licenses and permissions so
you don't end up with a fine or in jail...
For other official Texas state nature items like bird,
flower, tree - visit Lone
Star Junction.
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