Delaware State Mineral – Sillimanite

ContentsSillimanite – Al2SiO5Sillimanite – Al2SiO5 In 1977, the Delaware General Assembly, acting on a proposal by the Delaware Mineralogical Society, established sillimanite as the Delaware State Mineral. This act recognizes the geological and mineralogical significance of the large masses of this mineral found as boulders at Brandywine Springs, an occurrence that was recognized as important in the...

Illinois State Mineral – Flourite

ContentsPure fluorite (CaF2) is made of the elements calcium (Ca) and fluorine (F)The many uses for fluoritePure fluorite (CaF2) is made of the elements calcium (Ca) and fluorine (F) A bill designating fluorite the official state mineral of Illinois was passed in 1965 Fluorite melts at low temperatures and flows through other minerals, such as limestone, which is where it gets its name. Fluere in Latin, means to...

Gold, California State Mineral

The accidental discovery of gold in 1848 at Sutter’s Mill in Coloma started a bonanza that brought California fame and gave it the title of the “Golden State.” The Gold Rush of 1849 and the subsequent influx of settlers led to California becoming the 31st state in 1850. NATURAL OCCURRENCES The concentration of gold ore, and the market value of gold determine whether a deposit is a mineable orebody. The...