Your Guide to Our US-Mined Gemstones

Picking the right gemstone is undoubtedly one of the most exciting parts about making and wearing jewelry. Different gemstones offer a different look, feel, and energy - all beautiful in their own way. And since each single stone is a product of unique chemical characteristics found in precise locations on earth, gemstones can really be considered a tangible celebration of origin. 

The many varied terrains of the continental USA create tons of different kinds of gemstones, so US-based jewelers don’t have to go far to find a great selection. Here at W.R. Metalarts we love sourcing from domestic mines that can offer full transparency into their mining practices. This means we can make sure that the stones that make it into your jewelry are honoring the environment they came from, and the people who brought them to us. 

Here, we’ve created a roundup of some of our favorite US-mined gemstones - including where they can be found, and why we think they’re cool. We also go into a bit more detail about why origin is important in jewelry, especially if you value an ethical and sustainable supply chain. 

 

Sapphire - Montana 

 

One of the most famous American gems is the Montana sapphire. This gemstone comes in a variety of shades of blues, greens, purples, and even white - making it a super versatile stone for unique jewelry pieces. Sapphires are also great for jewelry because they’re highly  durable and scratch resistant, perfect for everyday wear. We love working with Montana sapphires because they are some of the most traceable gems in the world! We source our Montana sapphires from several independent miners, as well as from Fair Trade certified suppliers Columbia Gemhouse and Americut Gems.

Read more about sapphires here: Stone Spotlight: Montana Sapphires, Your Guide to Yellow Gemstones

 

Garnet - Arizona, Idaho, Vermont, Massachusetts

Another great pick for everyday jewelry, garnets come in lots of different colors, including red, green, yellow, pink, and many colors in between. A special variety called the Red Anthill Garnet is historically valued by the Diné (also known as Navajo) tribe of Arizona, and the Diné people continue to collect the stone from the margins around ant hills in the area. The ants encounter the garnets while excavating their underground passages and bring them to the surface, making them easy to collect. Cool, right?!  

Read more about garnets here: Orange Gemstones for your Project, Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue, We Love Red Stones, How About You?

 

Goshenite - Maine, New Hampshire

Goshenite is a clear/white variety of beryl that is in the same family as emerald, morganite, and aquamarine. Its name originates from Goshen, Massachusetts, where it was first discovered. This white stone is a favorite of ours for white stone engagement rings - it is a super affordable option with fully traceable, ethical sourcing.Though it is a bit less sparkly than other white stones like diamonds, it is still durable enough for everyday wear in rings. We source our goshenite from independent minders as well as the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum. 

Read more about goshenite here: Which White Stone is Right for You? 

 

Peridot - Arizona

With its captivating olive-green color, peridot symbolizes strength and positive energy. Although peridot is treasured in Hawaii as the goddess Pele's tears, almost all the Peridot sold in Hawaii today is from Arizona. Peridot is hard enough for “hard wearing” jewelry like rings, but it should be treated with care to avoid scratches. We source our peridot from Mesa Verde, Arizona via Columbia Gem House. This peridot is Apache-mined from Peridot Mesa, a flat-topped basalt rock hill with steep sides in the San Carlos Reservation. 

Read more about peridot here: Stone Spotlight: Peridot, Green Gemstones

 

Rose Quartz - South Dakota, New Hampshire, Maine

Rose quartz is known as the "mothering crystal." For centuries it has been thought to have healing properties for love, self-love, deep inner healing and feelings of peace. It has been used to heal the body and heart after birth, pregnancy loss, post-partum and other times of trauma or self-doubt. Though rose quartz is less durable than a diamond or sapphire, it is still a great option for pendants and earrings. Much of our current inventory of Rose quartz is cut by local artisanal stone cutters after being sourced from the Ripp Mine in Alstead, New Hampshire and the Bumpus Mine in Albany, Maine. 

Read more about rose quartz here: Stone Spotlight: Rose Quartz

 

Amethyst - Montana, South Dakota, Maine, New Hampshire

If you’re looking for a symbolic pop of color that is durable enough for everyday wear, Amethyst is a great choice. With stunning hues ranging from lavender to deep purple, Amethyst has adorned jewelry for centuries. Many traditions associate amethyst with peace, and it is believed to have a calming effect on whoever wears it. Amethyst is great for jewelry because it is tough enough for all types of pieces, from rings to earrings. We source our Amethyst from Maine Mineral and Gem Museum. We often use stones mined as part of the Intergalactic Find (also called the Fourth of July find) in the mid 1990's.

Read more about amethyst here: Stone Spotlight: Amethyst

 

Tourmaline - Maine, California

Tourmaline can be found in a wide spectrum of colors including blue, green, red, pink, orange, and yellow. Because of their complex molecular structure, tourmalines have unusual electrical properties and when heated or compressed; they gain a polarized electrical charge, making them magnetic. Tourmaline is quite hard and resistant to scratches, making it a great gemstone for jewelry pieces. We love sourcing Maine tourmalines from our friends at the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum. We also source Fair Trade tourmalines from California through Columbia Gem House.

Read more about tourmalines here: Stone Spotlight: Tourmaline, Green Gemstones

 

 Sunstone - Oregon

Sunstone gets its name because it resembles the many colors of a sunset - from orange, to gold, to light brown, and even brown-green. This stone is regarded as a stone of optimism and goodwill, and its iridescent quality creates a captivating play of colors for the eye. With a hardness of 6-6.5 on the Mohs scale, Sunstone is best suited for pendants, earrings, or other pieces that endure less harsh wear compared to rings or bracelets. We source our sunstone from Columbia Gem House, or in person at the Tucson Gem Show. 

Read more about sunstone here: Your Guide to Yellow Gemstones, Orange Gemstones for your Project

 

Aquamarine - Colorado, Maine, New Hampshire

With its soothing blue tones reminiscent of the ocean, Aquamarine means “water of the sea” in Latin. This stone is associated with tranquility and clarity, often said to radiate calming energy. Aquamarine is a durable stone, perfect for rings and other everyday jewelry. We source our Aquamarine from the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum, or from artisanal stone miners and cutters. 

Read more about aquamarine here: Stone Spotlight: Aquamarine, Something Blue! Adding Blue Gems to Your Ring

 

Ioliote - Wyoming 

Iolite, known for its shifting hues from violet to blue, is dubbed the "Viking compass stone" for aiding navigation. This gem's optical properties allow it to display different colors from different angles. For jewelry purposes, iolite is only moderately tough, and should be cut and set with care. If you love the look of sapphires but don't want to break the bank, iolite is for you! We source our iolite from Columbia Gem House. 

Read more about iolite here: Something Blue! Adding Blue Gems to Your Ring

 

Ruby - Wyoming

Rubies, prized for their rich red hue, symbolize passion, vitality, and love. They are a variety of corundum, the same mineral as sapphires, and are among the hardest gemstones. Due to significant ethical issues associated with the ruby trade around the world, we are extremely cautious when it comes to sourcing rubies. We will not buy any rubies labeled “mixed origin,” meaning suppliers don’t know exactly where they were mined. We do source beautiful rubies from Wyoming, but their rarity can make them more expensive than other stones of similar sizes, colors, and qualities. 

Read more about rubies here: Stone Spotlight: Ruby, Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue, We Love Red Stones, How About You?

 

Agate - Montana 

Known for their intricate banding and wide range of colors, agates are believed to bring balance and harmony. They're a type of chalcedony quartz that are great for jewelry due to their hardness, durability, affordability, and availability. We source agates from artisanal stone miners and cutters, as well as in person at the Tucson Gem Show.

 

Turquoise - Arizona 

Turquoise, revered for its vivid blue-green color, carries a history of protection and spiritual significance across cultures. It's a hydrated phosphate mineral found in arid regions. Though this stone offers a super bold pop of color, it is moderately porous with a relatively low toughness score. We source our turquoise from artisanal stone miners and cutters. 

 

Moonstone - Wisconsin

With its enchanting play of light known as adularescence, Moonstone is often associated with intuition and feminine energy. This gemstone is a type of feldspar that comes in varying colors, usually soft blues and whites. Moonstone is a less durable stone than others on this list, so it’s best suited for jewelry pieces like necklaces and earrings. We source our moonstone from Columbia Gem House. 

 

Smoky Quartz - Arkansas, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine

Smoky Quartz is a transparent variety of quartz that forms naturally due to the presence of irradiation and aluminum impurities. Its earthy tones and symbolic value make smoky quartz a versatile choice for creating jewelry that resonates with a sense of balance and stability. With a decently high rating on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, smoky quartz is durable enough to be worn every day, but does require a bit of care to maintain. We source our smoky quartz from Columbia Gem House, and our founder, Will, has also sourced some smoky quartz from outside of his home in Vermont!

 

Topaz - Colorado 

Most people think of an orange color when they think of topaz, but this gemstone also comes in a variety of other colors like blue, pink, and yellow. Ancient Egyptians believed that topaz was a powerful talisman that could protect them from harm and bring good fortune. Topaz ranks pretty high on the hardness scale, so it is used very commonly in jewelry of all kinds. We source our topaz from artisanal stone miners and cutters.

 

Why Origin is Important in Jewelry 

Gemstone provenance matters from sustainability perspective, because having transparent sources ensures that the gems in your jewelry are ethically sourced and their origins are traceable. This helps prevent environmental harm, unethical practices, and supports fair labor conditions. By choosing jewelry with known gemstone origins, you contribute to a responsible supply chain, protecting both nature and people while enjoying beautiful pieces with a clear conscience.

 

How to create the gemstone jewelry of your dreams 

From choosing the rink shank, to deciding on a setting, to selecting the perfect gemstone - there are many choices to be made when it comes to creating a piece of heirloom jewelry. If you love digging into the process each step of the way, we are here to help guide the journey and collaborate with you. If you’d rather leave the decision-making to someone else, we are also happy to just chat about your lifestyle, ethics, and preferences as a guide to crafting your perfect jewelry piece for you. We promise it's easy to get started making your dream jewelry piece come to life - just get in touch with us here.