Texas,
like most states, has a State flower, State Bird, and many other Official "State" items.
Did you know Texas also has a State Gemstone?
That's right, the Blue Topaz. Topaz has even been mined in Mason County
Texas.Blue topaz was adopted as the state gemstone as the
result of legislation approved March 26, 1969.
Take
a Look at the Largest Known Lone Star Cut Blue Topaz
Topaz adopted as the Official State Gem of Texas- House
Concurrent Resolution No. 12, 61st Legislature, Regular Session (1969)
Lone Star Cut adopted as the Official State Cut of the Texas Gem - House
Concurrent Resolution No. 97, 65th Legislature, Regular Session (1977) (Read
the Resolution)
What would you think of taking the State Gemstone of
Texas, Topaz and having it faceted by artisans in the Hill Country with
the Lone Star visible in the stone?
We think it is awesome!
That is why we offer Lone
Star Cut Blue Topaz Earrings, Lone
Star Cut Blue Topaz Rings, Lone Star Cut Blue Topaz Pendants, Lone
Star Cut Blue Topaz Loose Stones and just about anything you can
imagine with a Lone Star Cut Blue Topaz!
We offer the largest selection of Lone
Star Cut Blue Topaz jewelry on the Internet!
From an article printed in the Fort Worth Star Telegram
in 1998;
"MASON -- There is a shortage in this scenic Hill Country
town. People talk in hushed tones about it; visitors probe the town square,
their noses pressed against merchants' windows.
They want topaz, the official gemstone of Texas, and it's found only
here among the granite hills and sandy creek beds. But it isn't unearthed
easily. The locals who have it won't let it go. They keep it secreted
away in shoe boxes. Those who search for it used to find it quickly,
but they don't anymore.
Topaz was first recognized in Mason County in 1904. Old-timers
remember stumbling onto the quartzlike gemstone while searching the creek
beds for arrowheads. Sometimes the stones were so big, they could be
used as doorstops.
But it was the arrowhead that had value in those days. The topaz was
just another pretty rock.
Mason County boasts the largest gem-quality topaz crystal ever found
in North America. It is a 1,296-gram pale blue crystal that now resides
in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington.
Most pieces are considerably smaller, generally less than a couple of
inches long with a diameter of less than an inch.
Texas topaz is usually colorless to white, though some of the most beautiful
and startling gemstones are in the light-blue to sky-blue range. In color,
size and clarity, Texas topaz is considered among the best in the United
States."
Besides our collection of Lone
Star Cut Blue Topaz jewelry we offer many items that suit the Texas
Lifestyle. Take a look around our site, let us know what you would
like to see and we will do our best to find it for you.
Lone Star Cut adopted as the Official
State Cut of the Texas Gem
House Concurrent Resolution No. 97, 65th Legislature, Regular Session
(1977) H. C. R. No. 97
(THE STATE OF TEXAS'S SEAL)
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The flag of Texas, the public symbol for all to see, has a lone
star as its prominent feature; and
WHEREAS, This is reflected in the State slogan "Texas - The Lone Star
State" ; and
WHEREAS, A special gemstone cut known as the Lone Star Cut has been
designed by two native Texans; and
WHEREAS, Any gems one may be cut in this manner, including the State
Gem, the Blue Topaz; and
WHEREAS, The special characteristic of the Lone Star Cut is the appearance
to the viewer when looking directly into the stone, in that it reflects
the five-pointed star; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the State of Texas, the
Senate concurring. That the Lone Star Cut be and is hereby designated
as the official State Gemstone Cut of Texas; and, now, be it further
RESOLVED, That the specifications for faceting the Lone Star Cut are
for an 80 index gear and shall be as follows:
PAVILION
Cut 10 facets at 45°. Index 4-12-20-28-36-44-52-60-68-76.
Cut 5 facets at 54°, until the star is a measured 65 percent of the
diameter of the stone. Index 80-16-32-48-64.
Cut 10 facets at 60.7°. Index 2-14-18-30-34-46-50-62-66-78. These
are to meet the points of the star exactly.
Cut 5 facets at 65°. Index 8-24-40-56-72. These should also meet
the points of the star exactly.
Prepolish in the same order, then polish from the culet to the girdle.
CROWN
Cut 10 facets at 41.5°. Index 2-14-18-30-34-46-50-62-66-78. These
should be cut until the girdle is of the proper thickness.
Cut 5 facets at 52.1°. Index 8-24-40-56-72. Cut these until they
match the corresponding facets of the pavilion in width at the girdle.
This will insure the proper size for the table.
Cut 5 facets at 30°. Index 80-16-32-48-64.
Cut the table at 0° until the 30° facets meet at a point.
Prepolish in the same order, then polish in reverse order. If desired,
the table may be cut and polished last; it depends on your machine. The
girdle may be polished or not, as you wish.
(SIGNATURE)
(SIGNATURE)
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
I certify that H.C.R. No. 97 was adopted by the House on May 13, 1977.
by a non-record vote.
(SIGNATURE)
CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE
I certify that H.C.R. No. 97 was adopted by the Senate on May 20, 1977.
APPROVED : 25 May 77
(SIGNATURE)
DATE
SECRETARY OF THE SENATE
(SIGNATURE)
(SIGNATURE)
GOVERNOR
MAY 25, 1977
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