Florida International University State Minerals California Gold Discussion

Most states have a state mineral and/or rock and or gemstone.

Go tohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._state_minerals,_rocks,_stones_and_gemstones
and pick a you favorite State mineral, rock or gemstone and answer the following:
Why was this mineral/rock/gemstone chosen by this state?

What are the diagnostic physical properties of this mineral or rock
How is this mineral/rock/gemstone formed?
How is this mineral/rock/gemstone used?

Please use at least 3 sources of information and provide complete citation. One source may be your text book, one source needs to be a current event from an internet news or science website, and the other from a scientific source preferable also online.

Post your answer in a new thread.

Reminders – Your Post or Essay needs to be between 375 to 450 words in length that answers the corresponding questions, with a picture and/or chart, and includes citations for all sources, pictures and data used. You will also be expected to write 2 comments to posts from other students that are about 75 – 100 words in length. Current event article should be from the past 6 weeks or so.