![]() Many have tried, failed, and even perished in pursuit of this supposed treasure. Though Arizona has produced much less of this element than other states, it has killed many who believed they could find it.Īs the legend of the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine has it, somewhere deep in the rugged Superstition Mountains of the hostile Sonoran Desert lies a literal Gold Mine. GoldĪrizona is no stranger to the wild disease referred to as “Gold Fever” that seems to overcome people blinded by the thought of newfound riches. Though Arizona has produced a dazzling array including brilliant purple amethyst specimens. Quartz geodes are some of the most common. In Arizona, geodes can be found in many places across the state and contain a large diversity of crystals. When mineral laden water leaks into the hollowed cavity, crystals can begin to grow inside this rock and form a geode. This can happen from an air bubble in a volcanic rock, or a mineralized animal burrow or tree root. Geodes are rocks which contained hollowed out cavities lined with a spectacular display of fine crystals. GeodesĪrizona, being home to a diverse variety of crystals, also contains a wide distribution of geodes. Turquoise is a coveted stone and color for much of the native american jewelry that is continued to be produced through authentic methods to this day. Each mine produces its each unique variant characterized by different shades of color, levels of patterning, and intermixed minerals. There are several areas across the state that produce coveted specimens of the gemstone. None other than the state gemstone of Arizona, turquoise is an iconic stone and color of southwest folklore. The mine is contained fully within a National Forest Wilderness area and the only access for miners is by foot or helicopter. The mine follows an angular vein of quartz on the side of the rough mountaintops. The mine must have been known to early Native Americans, as amethyst arrowheads have been found.Īmethyst has been mined on and off since the early 1940’s. The clear purple gemstone mined from this specific mine is characterized by its unique red flash when observed through light. The Four Peaks Amethyst Mine produces some of the highest quality of the gemstone and is the only active mine in the United States. The Grand Canyon state is also a primary producer for yet another of precious Arizona gemstones commonly known by the many. It is said to bring wearers of the stone peace, success, and good luck. It is the birthstone for the month of August and is a common gemstone among other jewelry. This bright yellow-green gemstone has been treasured for ages. It is estimated that the San Carlos Indian Reservation supplies 80%-90% of the world supply that is mined only by San Carlos Tribal members. Contained entirely within a single desert mesa on the San Carlos Indian Reservation, near the town of what else but, Peridot, is the primary world supply of the gemstone. PeridotĪrizona is proud to contain the biggest mine of this precious gemstone in the world, peridot. The women and children who witnessed the event cried tears that then formed into the stones which we now call Apache Tears. Rather than face defeat, the Apache warriors took them and their horses leaping over the edge of a cliff to their death below at a location now known as Apache Leap outside of the town of Superior Arizona. They are a rounded obsidian volcanic black glass core surrounded by a rough black outer surface.Īs local Apache legend has it, there was a standoff between Apache warriors and an outfit of the U.S. These are rounded black pebbles that are less than a few inches across. Apache TearsĪ unique and cultural rock of the state of Arizona is called the Apache Tear. You can read more about tumbling petrified wood here! 2. The beauty of these fossilized gemstones makes them a very popular choice for rock tumbling enthusiasts. This leaves behind an individually unique array of colors throughout these preserved pieces of wood. Petrified wood is formed when ancient logs are buried and then the decomposition process leads to the wood being replaced with silica and trace minerals.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |