TURQUOISE – the first gem rock used in jewelry (dating back to the ancient Egyptians)

MINERALS AND GEMS OF THE DESERT

GARNET – the gem of both Connecticut and New York

MINERALS AND GEMS OF THE DESERT

GOLD – the soft, ornamental metal Minerals and Gems of the Desert

GYPSUM – the all purpose mineral used for blackboard chalk, drywall…even fertilizer

MINERALS AND GEMS OF THE DESERT

BARITE – from the Greek “heavy”

MINERALS AND GEMS OF THE DESERT

GEODE – from the Greek “earthlike,” a variable phenomenon to geologists

MINERALS AND GEMS OF THE DESERT

AMETHYST - Medieval European soldiers wore amethyst amulets as protection in battle.

MINERALS AND GEMS OF THE DESERT

FLUORITE – used in the manufacture of opalescent glass

MINERALS AND GEMS OF THE DESERT

PETRIFIED WOOD – a fossil in which organic materials have been replaced with minerals

MINERALS AND GEMS OF THE DESERT

TOPAZ - birthstone of the month of November

MINERALS AND GEMS OF THE DESERT