RocksdayOregon State Rock, Mineral & Gem: Thunderegg, Sunstone, Oregonite…
Oregon's official rock is the thunderegg, adopted in 1965. Oregon's official gemstone is sunstone, adopted in 1987. Oregon's official twin minerals are oregonite and josephinite, adopted in 2013. Oregon's official fossil is Metasequoia, adopted in 2005.
Symbol names and dates are taken from primary state sources linked below. Informal or proposed symbols are not listed unless adopted.
Official rock: Thunderegg
- Adopted:
- 1965
- Law:
- Senate Joint Resolution 18 (1965), noted under ORS chapter 186
Thunderegg is an igneous rock with a Mohs hardness of about 6.5–7 and a dull outside, waxy inside luster, usually brown, blue, white or red.
The 1965 Legislature adopted it after a statewide rockhound preference vote.
Where in Oregon: Chiefly Crook, Jefferson, Malheur, Wasco, and Wheeler counties.
Official gemstone: Sunstone
- Adopted:
- 1987
- Law:
- House Joint Resolution 4 (1987), noted under ORS chapter 186
Sunstone is a mineral with a Mohs hardness of 6–6.5 and a vitreous luster, usually orange, red or yellow.
The Secretary of State describes Oregon sunstone as a transparent feldspar gem named by the 1987 Legislature.
Where in Oregon: South-central to southeastern Oregon. The state survey describes crystals weathering from lava flows and names the Lakeview area; the Secretary of State ties the gem to southeastern counties.
Often confused with: Aventurine, Carnelian
Official twin mineral: Oregonite
- Adopted:
- 2013
- Law:
- Senate Concurrent Resolution 14 (2013), noted under ORS chapter 186
Official twin mineral: Josephinite
- Adopted:
- 2013
- Law:
- Senate Concurrent Resolution 14 (2013), noted under ORS chapter 186
The state survey lists josephinite with the twin-mineral designation and parenthesizes awaruite.
Official fossil: Metasequoia
- Adopted:
- 2005
- Law:
- House Joint Resolution 3 (2005), noted under ORS chapter 186
Dawn redwood. The state survey describes Miocene fossils across Oregon and notes that living trees were later found in China.
Oregon state symbols FAQ
What is the official rock of Oregon?
Oregon's official rock is the thunderegg, adopted in 1965 (Senate Joint Resolution 18 (1965), noted under ORS chapter 186).
What is the official gemstone of Oregon?
Oregon's official gemstone is sunstone, adopted in 1987 (House Joint Resolution 4 (1987), noted under ORS chapter 186).
What is the official twin mineral of Oregon?
Oregon's official twin minerals are oregonite and josephinite, adopted in 2013 (Senate Concurrent Resolution 14 (2013), noted under ORS chapter 186).
What is the official fossil of Oregon?
Oregon's official fossil is Metasequoia, adopted in 2005 (House Joint Resolution 3 (2005), noted under ORS chapter 186).
Sources
We cite primary sources (statutes, state government pages, federal regulations, and land-manager sites). Third-party listicles are not used as citations.
- Oregon Revised Statutes, chapter 186, official designations note — Oregon Legislature (accessed 2026-10-23).
- Fossils, Minerals & Gems — Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (accessed 2026-10-23).
- Oregon Blue Book almanac: state gemstone — Oregon Secretary of State (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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