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Article: New York State symbols: how something becomes a State symbol: state symbols provide a snapshot of what makes a state special. Each of New York's symbols pays tribute to a species or product of great importance to the state.
- Article from:
- New York State Conservationist
- Article date:
- October 1, 2007
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2007 New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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New York's state gem, the garnet gets its name from the Latin word for pomegranate, malum granatum, because of the gem's resemblance to red pomegranate seeds. With hard, sharp edges, most garnet is used as an industrial abrasive for waterjet cutting, airblasting, polishing TV glass and to filter drinking water, but occasionally gem-quality stones are found. New York produces more garnet than any other state. Crystals up to three feet long have been found here, though most measure only five inches. Most garnet is red, but it can also be green, orange, brown, yellow and purple.
State symbols are the result of a concerted effort by ...