Gems, Rocks, Gardens & Fossils

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Photo by Dave Smith, 2002, mounted mammoth at The Mammoth Site, Hot Springs, South Dakota Courtesy Univ. of California Museum of Paleontology	THE STATE FOSSIL The Columbian Mammoth was designated as the official State Fossil by Act Number 177 of 2014. The discovery of fossilized mammoth teeth in a swamp in South Carolina in 1725 was credited as the first scientific identification of a North American vertebrate fossil.
	THE STATE GEM STONE The Amethyst was designated as the official State Gem Stone by Act Number 345 of 1969. Amethyst is a purple variety of quartz with shades varying from a light violet to deep grape color. South Carolina is one of three states where the amethyst of good quality is found in the United States.
	THE STATE STONE The Blue Granite was designated as the official State Stone by Act Number 345 of 1969. South Carolina is one of the largest producers of granite in the United States. Blue Granite is actually gray colored granite, but can exhibit a blue hue when polished.
	THE STATE BOTANICAL GARDEN The South Carolina Botanical Garden at Clemson University was designated as the State Botanical Garden by Act Number 288 of 1992. Considered one of the State's most beautiful and diverse public gardens, it's 250 acres are home to wildflower, fern, bog and turf gardens, a pioneer village, a braille trail and a special garden for the walking impaired.