Some Gems Found in the United States

For a complete listing of gemstone beads and carved pieces, link to our Gemstone Alcove.   

ALABAMA	Beryl, Smoky Quartz	MONTANA	Agate, Amethyst, Beryl, Sapphire, Smoky Quartz
ARIZONA	Azurite-Malachite, Garnet, Peridot, Turquoise	NEVADA	Opal, Turquoise
ARKANSAS	Rock Crystal, Smoky Quartz, Agate, Diamond	NEW HAMPSHIRE	Beryl, Garnet, Rock Crystal, Topaz
CALIFORNIA	Agate, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Chrysoprase, Diamond, Lapis, Pearl, Quartz, Rhodonite, Tourmaline	NEW MEXICO	Garnet, Moonstone, Peridot, Turquoise
		NEW YORK	Amethyst, Chrome Diopside, Moonstone, Rose Quartz
COLORADO	Agate, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Beryl, Garnet, Lapis, Quartz, Rhodochrosite, Rhodonite	NORTH CAROLINA	Aquamarine, Emerald, Garnet, Ruby, Sapphire, Smoky Quartz
CONNECTICUT	Beryl, Rose Quartz, Tourmaline	OREGON	Labradorite Feldspar (Sunstone)
FLORIDA	Chalcedony, Conch Pearl	PENNSYLVANIA	Amethyst, Beryl, Garnet, Moonstone, Sunstone
GEORGIA	Amethyst, Beryl, Garnet, Ruby, Quartz	SOUTH CAROLINA	Amethyst, Beryl, Quartz
HAWAII	Coral	TENNESSEE	Dome Pearl
IDAHO	Agate, Obsidian, Opal	TEXAS	Amethyst, Tourmaline, Topaz
ILLINOIS	Fluorite, Pearl	VIRGINIA	Amethyst, Beryl, Garnet, Moonstone
IOWA	Chalcedony, Pearl	UTAH	Azurite, Malachite, Beryl
MAINE	Beryl, Pearl, Rock Crystal, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Topaz, Tourmaline	WASHINGTON	Agate, Pearl
MICHIGAN	Agate, Hematite

About Pearls

Pearls symbolize beauty, purity and wealth.  Their lustrousness is treasured throughout the world.  

When Mark Antony expressed his uncertainty of Cleopatra's love, she dissolved her most cherished pear-shaped pearls in wine.  Even the Bible refers to the value of pearls in the Epistle according to St. Matthew.  "The kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant searching for beautiful pearls, who, finding one of great cost, sells all his possessions to buy it."

Pearls happen when a grain of sand lodges within the mantle of a mollusk (a saltwater oyster or freshwater mussel).  To protect itself, the animal secretes nacreous layers around the grain of sand.  Eventually, this "irritant" forms into a pearl.  In cultured pearls, a bead nucleus is inserted between the mantle and the shell, and the natural nacre-forming process produces a pearl.

Pearl quality is determined by surface quality, luster, nacre thickness, color, size, and shape.  The perfect pearl:

o flawless, no surface imperfection

o higher lustre and thicker nacre

o pleasing translucent color

o larger size, either round or a very interesting shape

Most pearls are color enhanced to become a specific color.  First they are bleached, then dyed.  Freshwater pearls are either natural color, or dyed.

To find out about of selection of pearls, as well as How To Care For Pearls, visit our Pearl Shelves.