Nevada State Rock & Gem: Sandstone, Virgin Valley black fire opal, Nevada turquoise

Nevada's state rock is sandstone, adopted in 1987. Nevada's state precious gemstone is Virgin Valley black fire opal, adopted in 1987. Nevada's state semiprecious gemstone is Nevada turquoise, adopted in 1987. Nevada's state metal is silver, adopted in 1977. Nevada's state fossil is the ichthyosaur (genus Shonisaurus), adopted in 1977.

Symbol names and dates are taken from primary state sources linked below. Informal or proposed symbols are not listed unless adopted.

Sandstone specimen — Sandstone (not necessarily from Nevada). Photo: Unknown, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

State rock: Sandstone

Adopted:: 1987
Law:: NRS 235.120

Sandstone is a sedimentary rock with a Mohs hardness of about 6–7 and a dull, gritty luster, usually brown, red, yellow, white or orange.

How to identify sandstone →

Often confused with: Arkose, Conglomerate, Greywacke

Opal specimen — Opal (not necessarily from Nevada). Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

State precious gemstone: Virgin Valley black fire opal

Adopted:: 1987
Law:: NRS 235.100
Variety:: Virgin Valley black fire opal

It is a variety of opal. Opal is a mineraloid (SiO₂·nH₂O) with a Mohs hardness of 5.5–6.5 and a vitreous to waxy luster, usually white, black or orange.

How to identify opal →

Often confused with: Amber, Ammolite, Chalcedony

Also an official symbol of: Mississippi

Turquoise specimen — Turquoise (not necessarily from Nevada). Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

State semiprecious gemstone: Nevada turquoise

Adopted:: 1987
Law:: NRS 235.110
Variety:: Nevada turquoise

It is a variety of turquoise. Turquoise is a mineral with a Mohs hardness of 5–6 and a waxy to dull luster, usually blue or green.

How to identify turquoise →

Often confused with: Amazonite, Chrysocolla, Howlite

Also an official symbol of: Arizona, New Mexico

Native Silver specimen — Native Silver (not necessarily from Nevada). Photo: Alchemist-hp (talk) (www.pse-mendelejew.de), CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons

State metal: Silver

Adopted:: 1977
Law:: NRS 235.090

Native silver is a mineral (Ag) with a Mohs hardness of 2.5–3 and a metallic luster, usually silvery or black.

How to identify native silver →

Often confused with: Bismuth, Galena, Native Platinum

Also an official symbol of: Texas

State fossil: Ichthyosaur (genus Shonisaurus)

Adopted:: 1977
Law:: NRS 235.080

Nevada state symbols FAQ

What is the state rock of Nevada?

Nevada's state rock is sandstone, adopted in 1987 (NRS 235.120).

What is the state precious gemstone of Nevada?

Nevada's state precious gemstone is Virgin Valley black fire opal, adopted in 1987 (NRS 235.100).

What is the state semiprecious gemstone of Nevada?

Nevada's state semiprecious gemstone is Nevada turquoise, adopted in 1987 (NRS 235.110).

What is the state metal of Nevada?

Nevada's state metal is silver, adopted in 1977 (NRS 235.090).

What is the state fossil of Nevada?

Nevada's state fossil is the ichthyosaur (genus Shonisaurus), adopted in 1977 (NRS 235.080).

Does Nevada have a state mineral?

No. Nevada's state emblems law (NRS chapter 235) names no state mineral. Silver is the official state metal; the state tartan section mentions silver as a mineral only in passing.

Sources

We cite primary sources (statutes, state government pages, federal regulations, and land-manager sites). Third-party listicles are not used as citations.

Nevada Revised Statutes chapter 235, State emblems — Nevada Legislature (accessed 2026-10-24).

Last verified 2026-10-24. Corrections welcome: if a statute has changed, tell us and we'll re-verify.

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