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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.
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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