New Mexico State Gem: Turquoise

New Mexico's state gem is turquoise, adopted in 1967. New Mexico's state fossil is Coelophysis.

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

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

State gem: Turquoise

Adopted:: 1967
Law:: NMSA 1978 § 12-3-4

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, Nevada

State fossil: Coelophysis

Law:: NMSA 1978 § 12-3-4

New Mexico state symbols FAQ

What is the state gem of New Mexico?

New Mexico's state gem is turquoise, adopted in 1967 (NMSA 1978 § 12-3-4).

What is the state fossil of New Mexico?

New Mexico's state fossil is Coelophysis (NMSA 1978 § 12-3-4).

Sources

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

State Gem — New Mexico Secretary of State (accessed 2026-10-24).
Laws 2005, SB 13, amending NMSA 1978 § 12-3-4 (state symbols) — New Mexico 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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