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Gemstones have been produced in what is now the United States for thousands of years. Native Americans produced
turquoise, flint, amber, shells, obsidian and other materials for use in jewelry, beads,
carvings and tools. In the southwest they mined turquoise and used it to make earrings
and pendants. Along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts shells were used as gemstones and ornaments.
The use of flint for making tools and ornaments was widespread.
Native Americans produced gemstone
materials, used them locally and sometimes traded them across great distances. Obsidian can be
used as evidence of this trade. It is a volcanic glass that is available in limitad
areas; however, it was used in tools and ornaments by Native Americans throughout North
America. This wide distribution is evidence of a significant trade in obsidian.
What Gemstones Are
Mined in the United States?
About 60 types of gemstones have been produced in the United
States. The most important gemstones in current production include: agates,
amber, beryl, coral, garnet, jade, jasper, opal, pearls, peridot, quartz, sapphire, shell,
topaz, tourmaline, turquoise and others. These stones are used for jewelry, carvings
and as specimens by gem and mineral collectors.
