Just a bunch of old rocks?

GEMS of the U.S.A.

        Young students can hang little cards like the one shown here to decorate your doll's science classroom to introduce units about Geography.

       On it are samples of sixteen gem stones: Quartz, Moss Agate, Carnelian, Chrysocolia, Fluorite, Obsidian, Opal, Thurlite, Jasper, Amazon Stone, Amethyst, Ulexite, Rose Quartz, Serpentine, Onyx and Unakite. 

       It was sold in the tourist gift shop at Squire Boone Village, Corydon Indiana back in the 1990s. I've included links to the Caverns in Indiana just below. 

Is It A Gemstone -- Or Just An Old Rock?

       "Gemstones have fascinated people for thousands of years. In the past, only a few stones were classified as gems. The first known gemstones were Amethyst, Quartz Crystal, Amber, Garnet, Jade, Jasper, Coral, Lapis Lazuli, Pearl, Serpentine, Emerald and Turquois. These gemstones were sought after by the wealthy as status symbols and expressions of wealth and power.
       Today, the number of gemstones is great and new gemstones are being discovered all the time. Most gemstones are minerals or rocks, but gemstones can also be organic (Pearls, Ivory, Coral and Amber), fossils, wood, synthetic metals or even glass. Gemstone is a name given to all substances that have something special or beautiful about them and are used for jewelry, adornment and works of art...
       Gemstones can be very valuable as well. The more rare and the greater demand for a particular gemstone, the more valuable it becomes. Diamonds, Emeralds, Rubies and Sapphires are examples of valuable gemstones. Many investors choose to store their wealth in the form of gemstones. Gemstones have survived the pressure of inflation better and appreciated in value more than most other investments over the last century." quoted from the Gems of the U.S.A. collectors card shown right.

• The Squire Boone Caverns Story from Mauckport, Indiana by Adventures by Roger
• Exploring Squire Boone Caverns with Mira's Adventures