What is the Washington state gem?
In 1975, the Washington Legislature named petrified wood as the state gem. Q: What is the Washington state fossil? A: The Columbian mammoth was adopted as the state’s official fossil by the Washington Legislature in 1998. Read more about fossil collecting in Washington. Q: Where can I find out about mineral collecting or recreational gold panning in Washington? A: Read DNR’s introduction to mineral collecting and gold prospecting in Washington. Q: How do I research a mine’s history? A: Information about mining on specific sites comes from a number of sources: • Get a history of an area’s mining activity from DNR’s Geology and Earth Resources Division by e-mailing geology@dnr.wa.gov or calling 360-902-1450. • Find out who owns a mine by calling the US Bureau of Land Management at 509-536-1200 or learn how to research mining claims by downloading the booklet Locating Mining Claims. • To look up historical state mining stocks, call the Washington Secretary of State’s office at 360-902-415
