RocksdayWest Virginia State Rock & Gem: Bituminous coal, Mississippian fossil coral (Lithostrotionella)
West Virginia's state rock is bituminous coal, adopted in 2009. West Virginia's state gem is a Mississippian fossil coral (Lithostrotionella), adopted in 1990. West Virginia's state fossil is Megalonyx jeffersonii, adopted in 2008.
Symbol names and dates are taken from primary state sources linked below. Informal or proposed symbols are not listed unless adopted.
West Virginia's state rock, gem and fossil were adopted by concurrent resolutions of the Legislature, not by statute, so they do not appear in the West Virginia Code. House Concurrent Resolution 37 (2009), designating bituminous coal as the official state rock.
State rock: Bituminous coal
- Adopted:
- 2009
- Law:
- House Concurrent Resolution No. 37 (2009)
Coal is a sedimentary rock with a Mohs hardness of about 2–3 and a dull to submetallic luster, usually black or brown.
Often confused with: Anthracite, Cannel Coal, Jet
State gem: Mississippian fossil coral (Lithostrotionella)
- Adopted:
- 1990
- Law:
- House Concurrent Resolution No. 39 (1990)
- Variety:
- fossil coral preserved in chalcedony
It is a variety of chalcedony. Chalcedony is a mineral (SiO₂) with a Mohs hardness of 6.5–7 and a waxy luster, usually blue, white or gray.
The state geological survey notes it is technically not a gemstone but a fossil coral preserved by chalcedony, found in the Hillsdale Limestone of Greenbrier and Pocahontas counties.
Often confused with: Agate, Blue Lace Agate, Grape Agate
State fossil: Megalonyx jeffersonii
- Adopted:
- 2008
An extinct ground sloth; the bones found in present-day Monroe County were presented to Thomas Jefferson.
West Virginia state symbols FAQ
What is the state rock of West Virginia?
West Virginia's state rock is bituminous coal, adopted in 2009 (House Concurrent Resolution No. 37 (2009)).
What is the state gem of West Virginia?
West Virginia's state gem is a Mississippian fossil coral (Lithostrotionella), adopted in 1990 (House Concurrent Resolution No. 39 (1990)).
What is the state fossil of West Virginia?
West Virginia's state fossil is Megalonyx jeffersonii, adopted in 2008.
Sources
We cite primary sources (statutes, state government pages, federal regulations, and land-manager sites). Third-party listicles are not used as citations.
- House Concurrent Resolution 37 (2009), designating bituminous coal as the official state rock — West Virginia Legislature (accessed 2026-10-24).
- West Virginia State Symbols — West Virginia State Museum (accessed 2026-10-24).
- Frequently Asked Questions — West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey (accessed 2026-10-24).
Last verified 2026-10-24. Corrections welcome: if a statute has changed, tell us and we'll re-verify.
Think you could spot these from a blurry close-up?
Play today's Rocksday