The ground of Colorado is filled with a bunch of fascinating rocks and minerals. I remember when I was a kid, I found what I thought was a gigantic gold nugget in a stream. I was so excited, and I thought I was the biggest gold prospector on the face of the earth.
Turns out I was a fool and was duped by Pyrite, commonly known as “fool’s gold”. Pyrite is common in Colorado and found in areas near Colorado’s gold and silver mining locations. While it looks like gold, this mineral isn’t worth nearly as much.
Colorado’s Favorite Mineral
One of the most common minerals found all throughout the state of Colorado is quartz. There are many different variations, and it is a common component of many different rock types.
A Variation of Colorado’s State Mineral is Also the Rarest
On April 17, 2002, Colorado’s Governor, Bill Owens, signed a bill designating the state’s official mineral. That mineral is known as Rhodochrosite. While this mineral resembles a gemstone, it is not.
Crystals formed from manganese carbonate are much softer than most gemstones, but are still quite eye-catching. Rhodochrosite is found in 18 Colorado counties that are associated with gold and silver mining…