RocksdayArizona State Mineral & Gem: Turquoise, Wulfenite
Arizona's state gemstone is turquoise, adopted in 1974. Arizona's state mineral is wulfenite, adopted in 2017. Arizona's state metal is copper, adopted in 2015. Arizona's state fossil is petrified wood, adopted in 1988. Arizona's state dinosaur is Sonorasaurus.
Symbol names and dates are taken from primary state sources linked below. Informal or proposed symbols are not listed unless adopted.
State gemstone: Turquoise
- Adopted:
- 1974
- Law:
- A.R.S. § 41-858
Turquoise is a mineral with a Mohs hardness of 5–6 and a waxy to dull luster, usually blue or green.
Often confused with: Amazonite, Chrysocolla, Howlite
Also an official symbol of: Nevada, New Mexico
State mineral: Wulfenite
- Adopted:
- 2017
- Law:
- A.R.S. § 41-860.04; Laws 2017, chapter 45 (HB 2092), approved March 22, 2017
Wulfenite is a mineral (PbMoO₄) with a Mohs hardness of 3 and an adamantine to resinous luster, usually orange, yellow, red or brown.
Often confused with: Barite, Vanadinite
State metal: Copper
- Adopted:
- 2015
- Law:
- A.R.S. § 41-860.03; Laws 2015, chapter 77 (SB 1441), approved March 26, 2015
Native copper is a mineral (Cu) with a Mohs hardness of 2.5–3 and a metallic luster, usually orange, brown or green.
How to identify native copper →
Often confused with: Chalcopyrite, Gold
Also an official symbol of: Utah
State fossil: Petrified wood
- Adopted:
- 1988
- Law:
- A.R.S. § 41-853
- Variety:
- Araucarioxylon arizonicum
It is a kind of petrified wood. Petrified wood is a fossil with a Mohs hardness of about 6.5–7 and a waxy to vitreous luster, usually brown, red, yellow, gray or black.
How to identify petrified wood →
Often confused with: Chert, Jasper, Turritella Agate
Also an official symbol of: Mississippi, North Dakota, Texas, Washington
State dinosaur: Sonorasaurus
- Law:
- A.R.S. § 41-860.05
Arizona state symbols FAQ
What is the state gemstone of Arizona?
Arizona's state gemstone is turquoise, adopted in 1974 (A.R.S. § 41-858).
What is the state mineral of Arizona?
Arizona's state mineral is wulfenite, adopted in 2017 (A.R.S. § 41-860.04; Laws 2017, chapter 45 (HB 2092), approved March 22, 2017).
What is the state metal of Arizona?
Arizona's state metal is copper, adopted in 2015 (A.R.S. § 41-860.03; Laws 2015, chapter 77 (SB 1441), approved March 26, 2015).
What is the state fossil of Arizona?
Arizona's state fossil is petrified wood, adopted in 1988 (A.R.S. § 41-853).
What is the state dinosaur of Arizona?
Arizona's state dinosaur is Sonorasaurus (A.R.S. § 41-860.05).
Sources
We cite primary sources (statutes, state government pages, federal regulations, and land-manager sites). Third-party listicles are not used as citations.
- Arizona Revised Statutes § 41-858, State gemstone — Arizona State Legislature (accessed 2026-10-23).
- Arizona Facts — Office of the Arizona Governor (accessed 2026-10-23).
- Arizona Revised Statutes § 41-853, State fossil — Arizona State Legislature (accessed 2026-10-23).
- Arizona Revised Statutes § 41-860.04, State mineral — Arizona State Legislature (accessed 2026-10-23).
- Laws 2017, chapter 45 (House Bill 2092), state mineral wulfenite — Arizona State Legislature (accessed 2026-10-23).
- Arizona Revised Statutes § 41-860.03, State metal — Arizona State Legislature (accessed 2026-10-23).
- Laws 2015, chapter 77 (Senate Bill 1441), state metal copper — Arizona State Legislature (accessed 2026-10-23).
- Arizona Revised Statutes § 41-860.05, State dinosaur — Arizona State Legislature (accessed 2026-10-23).
Last verified 2026-10-23. Corrections welcome: if a statute has changed, tell us and we'll re-verify.
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