South Dakota State Mineral & Gem: Rose quartz, Fairburn agate

South Dakota's state mineral stone is rose quartz, adopted in 1966. South Dakota's state gemstone is Fairburn agate, adopted in 1966. South Dakota's state fossil is Triceratops, adopted in 1988.

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

Rose Quartz specimen — Rose Quartz (not necessarily from South Dakota). Photo: James St. John, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

State mineral stone: Rose quartz

Adopted:: 1966
Law:: SDCL 1-6-12

Rose quartz is a mineral (SiO₂) with a Mohs hardness of 7 and a vitreous to greasy luster, usually pink.

How to identify rose quartz →

Often confused with: Morganite, Rhodochrosite, Rhodonite

Agate specimen — Agate (not necessarily from South Dakota). Photo: James St. John, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

State gemstone: Fairburn agate

Adopted:: 1966
Law:: SDCL 1-6-12
Variety:: Fairburn agate

It is a variety of agate. Agate is a mineral (SiO₂) with a Mohs hardness of 6.5–7 and a waxy to vitreous luster, usually red, orange, white, gray, brown or blue.

How to identify agate →

Often confused with: Blue Lace Agate, Carnelian, Chalcedony

Also an official symbol of: Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Tennessee

State fossil: Triceratops

Adopted:: 1988
Law:: SDCL 1-6-16.1; SL 1988, ch 6

South Dakota state symbols FAQ

What is the state mineral stone of South Dakota?

South Dakota's state mineral stone is rose quartz, adopted in 1966 (SDCL 1-6-12).

What is the state gemstone of South Dakota?

South Dakota's state gemstone is Fairburn agate, adopted in 1966 (SDCL 1-6-12).

What is the state fossil of South Dakota?

South Dakota's state fossil is Triceratops, adopted in 1988 (SDCL 1-6-16.1; SL 1988, ch 6).

Sources

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

South Dakota Codified Laws 1-6-12, State mineral stone and gemstone — South Dakota Legislature (accessed 2026-10-24).
State Seal and State Symbols — South Dakota Secretary of State (accessed 2026-10-24).
South Dakota Codified Laws 1-6-16.1, State fossil — South Dakota 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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