moonstone.
In 1970, lawmakers adopted the moonstone as the official state gem. Ironically, the moonstone, a form of the mineral feldspar, is not found naturally in Florida… nor was it found on the moon!
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What is FL state animal?
panther
The most endangered of all Florida’s symbols is its state animal, the panther (Felis concolor coryi) which was chosen in 1982 by a vote of students throughout the state. The Florida Panther is a large, long-tailed, pale brown cat that grows to six feet or longer.
What gems are found in Florida?
A wide variety of rocks, minerals, and gemstones can be found in Florida including agatized coral, calcite, silicified wood, chert, flint, chalcedony, and geodes. Florida beaches are also famous for producing shark teeth, fossilized coral, and manatee bones.
Why was the moon stone chosen as Florida’s state gem?
Adopted on May 20, 1970.
On May 20, 1970, Florida lawmakers passed and sent to the Governor a bill adopting the moonstone, (KAlSi3O8 – Potassium Aluminium Silicate,) as Florida official State Gem to commemorate the landing of U.S. astronauts on the moon.
What state has the most gems?
A quarter of the states produce the majority of the gemstones in the country. In decreasing order of production value, Idaho, Arizona, Oregon, California, Montana, Arkansas, Maine, Colorado, North Carolina, Nevada, Texas and Utah produced 90 percent of the U.S.’s natural gemstones last year, the USGS said.
What is Florida state Fish?
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass usually live in quiet waters that contain bountiful vegetation. The 1975 legislature designated the Florida largemouth bass as the official state freshwater fish.
What is the Florida state butterfly?
zebra longwing
It has a wide range of habitats, including hardwood hammocks, thickets, and gardens. The zebra longwing is found throughout the state, although it is more common in south Florida, particularly in the Everglades National Park. In 1996 the state legislature designated the zebra longwing as the official state butterfly.
Is there gold in Florida?
There are no known gold deposits in Florida. In fact, it may be the only state in the United States where there has been no gold discoveries.Another way that Florida treasure hunters can find gold is by looking for modern jewelry on the beaches. Tourists are always losing gold jewelry.
Can diamonds be found in Florida?
This 1.95-carat brown diamond, discovered by 40-year-old Doug Lay of Florida at Crater of Diamonds State Park Murfreesboro on Tuesday, is about the size of an English pea.The park said nearly 500 diamonds have been found on its 37 1/2-acre site this year.
What is the most common mineral in Florida?
LIMESTONE: Various types of limestone underlie all of Florida, but in many parts of the state, the limestone is covered by the sand and clay that forms the land surface. Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed principally of the mineral calcite (CaCO3).
Is moonstone a real gem?
A: Moonstone is indeed a real gemstone, a member of the orthoclase feldspar family that also includes Labradorite and Sunstone, as well as Rainbow Moonstone and Amazonite.When light enters between these thin layers it produces the familiar phenomenon observed in moonstone called adularescence.
Is moonstone an opal?
Definition: Moonstone is a sodium potassium aluminium silicate with the chemical formula (Na,K)AlSi3O8 and belongs to the feldspar group. Opal is a hydrated amorphous form of silica; its water content may range from 3 to 21% by weight, but is usually between 6 and 10%.
Why does June have three birthstones?
Why does June have 3 birthstones? The main reason why some months have multiple birthstones is because various ancient stones have become too rare, so it is less likely for them to be available on the market and to satisfy consumer needs.
What is the rarest gemstone?
Musgravite. Musgravite was discovered in 1967 and is arguably the rarest gemstone in the world. It was first discovered in Musgrave Ranges, Australia, and later found in Madagascar and Greenland.
Is there opal in the US?
American opals come from several states in western USA, where volcanic rocks in remote mountains and valleys along the Western Trail from California to Washington supply varieties like black opal, fire opal, common opal, and more.Most of these opals are found in western USA, with many opal mines open to the public.
Are there agates in Florida?
Coral Agates
The agatized or silicified coral fossils of Florida were first recorded in the 1800’s. They are Florida’s official state gemstone.The various locations in Florida where agatized corals can be found are around Tampa Bay and its surrounding area such as New Port Richey and Tarpon Springs.
What is Florida state saltwater fish?
The 1975 Florida legislature adopted the Atlantic sailfish as the state’s official saltwater fish.
What is Florida state wildflower?
Coreopsis
In 1991 the flower of the genus Coreopsis was designated as Florida’s official wildflower. The state legislature made this designation after the colorful flowers were used extensively in Florida’s roadside plantings and highway beautification programs.
Is there buried treasure in Florida?
Buried treasure in Florida is not just along the famed treasure coast where hundreds of Spanish Galleons wrecked, and now are coughing up loads of gold and silver during and after violent storms. Florida is one of those States that has hundreds of other treasures hidden throughout the State.
Where is the treasure in Florida?
Sebastian Inlet is at the center of what’s known as the Treasure Coast, and prime sites for searching for gold stretch several miles north and south. Vero Beach, Bonsteel Park, Melbourne Beach, Aquarina Beach, Wabasso Beach and Pepper Park Beach are places worth searching.
Indian River Shores, Florida — A trove of Spanish coins dating back to a 1715 shipwreck during a storm have been found along a beach in Florida. CBS affiliate WPEC-TV reported that 43-year-old treasure hunter Jonah Martinez located the coins using a metal detector.
