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Georgia State Mineral

Staurolite   Adopted: March 18, 1976
Georgia state mineral
Georgia State Mineral: Staurolite
Photographs

Staurolite became the official Georgia state mineral on March 18, 1976 when work was completed on and House Resolution No. 517-1385 was formally adopted.

Because twin crystals are often found in cross shapes (from Greek, "cross stone"), staurolite crystals are often referred to as Fairy Crosses or Cross Rocks.

As noted in the resolution, staurolite is most commonly found in north central Georgia, in mountain layered/banded metamorphic rock, that can present in road cuts, quarries, and along trails and in fields and streams. Cherokee, Gilmer, Pickens and Fannin counties offer excellent collecting opportunities.

Staurolite crystals are often found embedded in large rocks in cliffs and along the base of mountains.

In addition to an official state mineral, House Resolution No. 517-1385 also designated an official state fossil and an official state gem.

The resolution, shown below offers explanation for the adoption of each of these symbols to represent the State of Georgia.

OFFICIAL STATE MINERAL, FOSSIL AND QUARTZ DESIGNATED.

No. 104 (House Resolution No. 517-1385).

A Resolution.

Designating staurolite as the official State mineral, the shark tooth as the official State fossil and quartz as the official State gem; and for other purposes.

Whereas, Georgia has a wealth of minerals and gemstones; and

Whereas, staurolite is a mineral found in old crystalline rocks and is particularly well known and abundant in north Georgia; and

Whereas, staurolite crystals are known mostly as "Fairy Crosses" or "Fairy Stones", and generations after generations have collected them for good luck charms; and

Whereas, the shark tooth is a relatively common fossil in Georgia and in fossil form can be traced back 375,000,000 years; and

Whereas, the teeth are especially prized by fossil collectors and range in color from the more common blacks and grays to white, brown, blue and reddish brown; and

Whereas, quartz is the second most abundant mineral on Earth, and Georgia is blessed with a great deal of it in a wide variety of colors; and

Whereas, quartz is the amethyst that has been most used in jewelry, and clear quartz when faceted resembles diamond; and

Whereas, the importance of Georgia's minerals to the industrial growth and heritage of this State should be appropriately recognized.

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the General Assembly of Georgia that the following designations are hereby made:

(1) Staurolite is designated as the State of Georgia's official mineral.

(2) The shark tooth is designated as the State of Georgia's official fossil.

(3) Quartz is designated as the State of Georgia's official gem.

Approval Date: Approved March 18, 1976.


Sources...

"ACTS AND RESOLUTIONS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA 1976." GALILEO: Georgia Legislative Documents. Version 1976 Vol. 1 -- Page: 567. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Aug. 2014. .

"LexisNexis® Custom Solution: Georgia Code Research Tool." LexisNexis® Custom Solution: Georgia Code Research Tool. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Aug. 2014. .

McPherson, Alan. "Georgia." State Geosymbols: Geological Symbols of the United States. Bloomington, Ind.: Authorhouse, 2011. 39. Print.

Shearer, Benjamin F. and Barbara S. State Names, Seals, Flags and Symbols: A Historical Guide Third Edition, Revised and Expanded. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press, 3 Sub edition, 2001.


Additional Information

Staurolite: Geology.com - News and Information About Geology and Earth Science.

Staurolite: Mindat.org, an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all.

The Mineral staurolite: Minerals.net, started in 1996 by Hershel Friedman, is an interactive and educational guide to rocks, minerals, and gemstones.

State minerals: Complete list of official state minerals from NETSTATE.COM

More symbols & emblems: Complete list of official Georgia state symbols from NETSTATE.COM.

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