The 50 State Gems and Minerals: A Guidebook for Aspiring Geologists

An engaging kids' guide to the official US state gems and minerals by award-winning author Yinan Wan.

How many states claim quartz as their official state gem? This guidebook answers this question and more as it explores the treasures that are designated official state gems and minerals.

• More than 150 photographs showcase these marvels, from the Star Blue quartz of Alabama to the jade nephrite of Wyoming.
• Each state entry is presented with details about the state gem and mineral, with pictures of each, and a map of the state showing where the gem or mineral can be found.
• Some states do not yet have designated gems or minerals, and suggestions and guidance are provided so that the reader can lead the way in getting one designated.
• Museums and parks with minerals are listed in the appendix so readers can go see specimens in person.

Encyclopedic yet easy to read, this book is great for mineral and gem enthusiasts and future geologists of all ages. 

Check out all the books in the 50 States Geoscience for Kids Series:
The 50 State Fossils: A Guidebook for Aspiring Paleontologists (9780764355578)
The 50 State Gems and Minerals: A Guidebook for Aspiring Geologists (9780764359958)
The 50 State Unofficial Meteorites: A Guidebook for Aspiring Meteoriticists (9780764365089)

Yinan Wang started collecting minerals and fossils as a kid, and he still does. His love of rocks brought him to Princeton University, where he graduated with a degree in geosciences. He later became interested in meteorites and now keeps an eye out for them everywhere he goes. He is a coauthor of numerous paleontological research papers and is the author of The 50 State Gems and Minerals, The 50 State Unofficial Meteorites, and The 50 State Fossils, which received the IPPY Award 2019 Silver Medal in the Juvenile–Young Adult Nonfiction category from the Independent Publisher Book Awards. Yinan lives in Arlington, Virginia.

Jane Levy has a passion for art and education and an MFA from the Ohio State University.