Gem News - Missouri Pearls By:
Brenda Reichel The state of Missouri has fluorite and
natural pearls which are often found in the rivers of the Ozarks. The
fluorite found in Missouri is called Blue John. This gem material is near
colorless, but has veins of yellow/brown markings, with strong
bluish/violet color in crystal formation. The gem material lends itself to
be carved on large pieces. There is a fine example of a Blue John vase in
the Geological Survey Museum at South Kensington, London, England. Natural pearls are found in the freshwater
mussels of the rivers and lakes of Missouri. These pearls are often round
in shape, although they can also be found in various other shapes. Natural
pearls from the United States generally vary in color from white, to pink
to beige. The size of the pearls can vary from 2mm to 3mm, and as big
as 6mm. The luster can vary from very bright to dull. Now, you can rarely
find natural pearls in the rivers and lakes of Missouri. However, there
are a few experimental pearl farms in the region. Chert (a form of Flint, with some
chalcedony) is also found in Missouri and has been used for making
arrowheads by the plains Indians of years past. The majority of the gem
material is a combination of silica and varying amounts of chalcedony.
There are still arrowheads to be found in the Ozark Mountains and rolling
hills of Missouri. Another name for this gemstone is also called Mozarkite,
which is a combination of the name Missouri and Ozark. The colors are red,
yellow, orange with a strong concentration of blue to purple. |