The Florida State Gem Moonstone

United States astronauts Neil Armstrong and "Buzz" Aldrin landed on the moon July 20, 1969, preparing for man's first personal inspection of the lunar surface. Since the Apollo 11 and all other manned spaceflights had blasted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Brevard County, it came as no coincidence that the State Legislature sought to memorialize America's unprecedented international, scientific and technological triumph.

Therefore, ten months later, May 20, 1970, Florida lawmakers passed and sent to the Governor a bill adopting the moonstone as the official State Gem.

Ironically, the moonstone is not found naturally in Florida... nor was it found on the moon.