Gemstones Found in Colorado

Aquamarine
Aquamarine is only found in one place in Colorado -- but it is high quality. It is found in the mountain peaks of Mount Antero and White Mountain.

Peridot, Topaz, Garnet, Quartz, Rose Quartz

On the Ute Indian Trail out of Salida that went to Manitou Springs near Colorado Springs, one can find peridot, epidote, pink and white quartz, muscovite, biotite and gold mica, pink feldspar, pyrite, magnetite, hematite, limonite, white and gray marble, gold, beryl, black obsidian "Apache Tears", red garnets and topaz. Tours are by Fun Time Jeep Tours

Other less common stones include: Beryl, Amethyst, Phenacite, Pyrite, Citrine Fluorite, Diamond, Agate, Rhodonite

Colorado State Gemstones

State Gemstone: Aquamarine
Aquamarine was officially adopted as Colorado's State Gemstone in 1971.

State Mineral: Rhodochrosite
Rhodochrosite was officially adopted as Colorado's State Mineral in 2002.

Useful Books & Bibliography:

Colorado:
• The Rockhound's Guide to Colorado - by William A. Kappele, W. R. C. Shedenhelm (Editor), Bill Kappele
  From agate and fossils in the land of the dinosaurs to the 14,000-foot peak of Mount Antero, The Rockhound's Guide to Colorado takes you to 78 of the best rockhounding sites in the state. Lively text, accurate maps, and clear route descriptions enable you to find rhodonite, agate, pyrite, quartz, and much more.

• Roadside Geology of Colorado (Roadside Geology Series) - by Halka Chronic
  Colorado geology. There are no better books for roadside geologizing than the Roadside Geology series.

  Gemstone Related:

• Gemstones (Eyewitness Handbooks) - by Cally Hall, Harry Taylor (Photographer)
  A field guide to gemstones. Nice pictures and good, brief, well-written descriptions of over 130 varieties of gemstones.

• The Curious Lore of Precious Stones - by George Frederick Kunz
  The definitive book on fascinating, traditional gem lore. Very practical.

• Gem Identification Made Easy: A Hands-On Guide to More Confident Buying & Selling New 3rd Edition - by Antoinette L. Matlins & Antonio C. Bonanno
  This book is really great for knowing he latest gems, synthetics, treatments, and instruments. Easy to use.

• Gemstone Buying Guide: A Guide to Buying - by Renee Newman
  Very nice gemstone identification book.

• Simon and Schuster's Guide to Gems and Precious Stones - by C. Ciprianai, Kennie Lyman (Editor), Alessando Borelli
  This book is one inch thick and every facing page has a full colored photo of gems or precious stones. Hardness, weights, cuts, refractions, and value of color are given for each gem.

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