State Mineral of North Carolina: Gold
by Michelle Czaikowski and Amy Kemp
NC Government & Heritage Library, 2017
See also: North Carolina State Symbols and Official Adoptions main page, North Carolina Gold Rush, Gold in the Uwharries
On June 23, 2011, gold (Aurum) became North Carolina's official state mineral. (Session Law 2011-233)
Selection as State Mineral
The bill was initially introduced by Senate Majority Leader Harry Brown of Onslow County on behalf of a fourth-grade class at Clyde Erwin Magnet Elementary School. While a majority of senators were in favor of the adoption, four voted against the bill, citing the opposition of other mineral industries, such as quartz and feldspar, in their constituencies.
At least two other states have designated gold as their state mineral - Alaska and California.
About Gold
The discovery of gold by a twelve-year-old boy in 1799 in Cabarrus County started North Carolina's gold rush. The boy's name was Conrad Reed, and the location developed into the Reed Gold Mine.
Following the discovery, North Carolina remained the only gold producing state in the union until 1828, and the top producing state until the California gold rush of 1848.
While other minerals such as pyrite and yellow mica can be frequently mistaken for gold, the mineral has several defining characteristics. It is soft, measuring a 2.5-3 on the Mohs scale of hardness, but is also a heavy mineral, with a 19.3 specific gravity when pure. Unlike pyrite, gold extremely pliable and can be molded into sheets without breaking. It is also largely insoluble, only breaking down in a mixture of hydrochloric and nitric acid.
References and additional resources:
Ballew, Sigrid and Jeff Reid. 2000. "Gold in North Carolina." North Carolina Geological Survey Web site. Online at https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/energy-mineral-land-resources/north-carolina-geological-survey. Accessed 12/2010.
Leslie, Laura. 2011. "Senate okays gold as state mineral." 5/23/2011. Online at: https://www.wral.com/news/state/nccapitol/blogpost/9635000/. Accessed July 2011.
Reed Gold Mine, NC Historic Sites, NC Department of Cultural Resources. Online at https://historicsites.nc.gov/all-sites/reed-gold-mine. Accessed 12/2010.
Resources on gold in North Carolina in libraries [via WorldCat]
11 July 2011 | Kemp, Amy; Underhill, Michelle Czaikowski
Comments
why is the pichure not
why is the pichure not avalibal when I click on it.
The photograph is linked to
The photograph is linked to the North Carolina Historic Site: Reed Gold Mine website. I am sorry for the inconvenience . Please let us know how else we can help you.
Francesca Evans, Government & Heritage Library
so cool that a 12 year old
so cool that a 12 year old did it
The State Fricking Mineral Is
The State Mineral Is EMERALD (Nc)
Hello Anonymous,
Hello Anonymous,
Actually the state stone is an emerald (specifically a gemstone) while the state mineral is gold. Minerals and stones are different, but related. https://ncpedia.org/stone-emerald - Check this site to learn the difference between stone and mineral. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/earth/index-the-earth/mineral...
Erin Bradford, Government and Heritage Library
I agree!!
I agree!!
Erin Bradford, Government and Heritage Library
my gosh can you guys believe
my gosh can you guys believe a 12 year old started the gold rush?
I cant no I can not
cool but u need to show real
cool but u need to show real pictures of the actual mineral cause when the ppl pan for it, you cant actually see it . I need pictures to print for my project . quick plz bcuz this project is due in a week send me some links or somethin I need helpful information plz Ncpedia help quick like rn
Hello,
Hello,
Thank you for visiting NCpedia. The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History has a link with more information and a picture. Please see:
http://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_741894
Best wishes,
Elizabeth Hayden, Government & Heritage Library
GOOOOOOLD!!
GOOOOOOLD!!
Add a comment
PLEASE NOTE: NCpedia provides the comments feature as a way for viewers to engage with the resources. Comments are not published until reviewed by NCpedia editors at https://statelibrary.ncdcr.gov/, and the editors reserve the right to not publish any comment submitted that is considered inappropriate for this resource. NCpedia will not publish personal contact information in comments, questions, or responses. If you would like a reply by email, note that some email servers, such as public school accounts, are blocked from accepting messages from outside email servers or domains. If you prefer not to leave an email address, check back at your NCpedia comment for a reply. Please allow one business day for replies from NCpedia. Complete guidelines are available at http://ncpedia.org/comments.