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The U.S. state of Connecticut is divided into 169 municipalities, including 19 cities, 149 towns and one borough, which are grouped into eight historical counties, as well as nine planning regions which serve as county equivalents . Towns traditionally have a town meeting form of government; under the Home Rule Act, however, towns are free to ...
In 1986, California named benitoite as its state gemstone, a form of the mineral barium titanium silicate that is unique to the Golden State and only found in gem quality in San Benito County. [ 80 ] ^ Colorado is the only state whose geological symbols reflect the national flag's colors: red (rhodochrosite), white (yule marble), and blue ...
Opal is a hydrated amorphous form of silica (SiO 2 ·nH 2 O); its water content may range from 3% to 21% by weight, but is usually between 6% and 10%. Due to its amorphous property, it is classified as a mineraloid , unlike crystalline forms of silica, which are considered minerals .
The Gemological Institute of America ( GIA) is a nonprofit institute based in Carlsbad, California. It is dedicated to research and education in the field of gemology and the jewelry arts. [ 1] Founded in 1931, GIA's mission is to protect buyers and sellers of gemstones by setting and maintaining the standards used to evaluate gemstone quality.
The first theme is using legendary luminous gems to illuminate buildings, for navigation lights on ships, or sometimes as guiding lights for lost persons (Ball 1938: 498–500). In India, the earliest country in which fine gemstones were known, belief in luminous gems dates back some twenty-five centuries.
The garnet family is one of the most complex in the gem world. It is not a single species, but is composed of multiple species and varieties. [ 54 ] It is the state mineral of Connecticut, [ 55 ] New York's gemstone, [ 56 ] and star garnet (garnet with rutile asterisms) is the state gemstone of Idaho. [ 57 ]
Gemstones of the World revised 5th edition, 2013 by Walter Schumann ISBN 978-1454909538 Smithsonian Handbook: Gemstones by Cally Hall, 2nd ed. 2002 ISBN 978-0789489852 v
Gemstone. Group of precious and semiprecious stones—both uncut and faceted—including ( clockwise from top left) diamond, uncut synthetic sapphire, ruby, uncut emerald, and amethyst crystal cluster. A gemstone (also called a fine gem, jewel, precious stone, semiprecious stone, or simply gem) is a piece of mineral crystal which, when cut or ...