Hawaii’s State Gem – Black Coral

ContentsLearning Links for Black CoralHawaii LegislatureBlack Coral was chosen as the state gem of Hawaii in November 1987. It is the only state gem that is not a mineral, but a living organism. This is an antipatharian or black coral. Antipatharian corals are solitary, their six-tentacled polyps being located in a skin-like coenenchyme that surrounds the spiny, horny skeleton of this coral. These corals can...

Benitoite – California State Gem

Benitoite (pronounced beh-nee-tow-ite) can occur in rich blue crystals that are as striking and flawless as the finest sapphires. Gem quality benitoite is found only in a small area of San Benito County, California. It has never been found in quantity or as crystals much larger than 5 cm across. The scarcity of this beautiful gem makes it primarily a collector’s item. However, a minor amount of high quality...