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Gems Found in Alabama

Webster's defines a gem "as any jewel, whether stone, pearl or the like, having value and beauty that are intrinsic and not derived from its setting; a precious or ... semiprecious stone cut and polished for ornament. [or] carved or engraved, as a cameo or intaglio." About 60 kinds of gemstones are found in the United States, only some of which are found in Alabama, as it's not one of the top gem-producing states.

Quartz
- Quartz in its natural state.
  
  In prehistorc Alabama, native Americans used quartz and other rocks and minerals. In recorded history, quartz is mentioned in the first issue of the "American Journal of Science" in 1819; it was found in the Tennessee River Valley area near Huntsville. Quartz is found all over, however, and chalcedony, which includes many well known varieties of cryptocrystalline quartz, is found in every state, according to the United States Geological Survey. The most important mineral discovery in Alabama occurred in 1831 with the discovery of gold. In 1990 "star blue quartz" became the official gemstone for Alabama.
Agate
- Gems are used in jewelry, including bracelets.
  
  Agate is a type of quartz and has curved bands of various colors. Look for agate near Garth and Hollytree in Jackson county.
Beryl
- Ermerald and aquamarine are two varieties of beryl, which come in various colors, or are colorless. You can hunt for beryl near Hissop in Coosa county.
Garnets
- Deep red to black is one of the color combinations of garnets.
  
  There are various types of garnets; they're not all red. You can look for them near Erin, Ashland, and Hollis Corners.
Other Gems
- Gemstones can be combined in various ways.
  
  "Rocks & Minerals" lists hematite, marcasite, quartz, olivine, tourmaline, fluorite, agate, jasper, garnet, topaz, malachite, turquoise, diamond, zircon and spinel as gems found in Alabama. It also lists locations, which are broken down into counties, districts and specific sites. Of course, some of these sites are on private property. Another list includes amethyst, beryl (ermerald), calcite, fluorite, gypsum, magnetite, quartz (agate), rutile, tourmaline, turqouise and wavelite. Broken pieces of mussel shells from Alabama are used in pearl production, though not locally. They're inserted in oyster shells for pearl nucleii.
Public Locations
- Find your very own gemstones and have them set.
  
  There are maps, booklets and rock hounding groups to join if you are hoping to discover your own gems. For explorers, May Hill Press has maps for gems and gold. You'll need a map for detailed directions, but in the area of Blount you could find agate, jasper and onyx. Look for tourmaline near Opelika in Chambers county, Micaville in Cleburne county and Rockford in Coosa county. You can find onyx near Jackson in Clarke county and turquoise in Clay county.

Rock Collecting