PRINTER'S NO. 4307
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
2741
Session of
2018
INTRODUCED BY MEHAFFIE, PICKETT, CORBIN, LEWIS, CHARLTON, HILL-
EVANS, KAUFFMAN, MILLARD, HENNESSEY, DiGIROLAMO AND DALEY,
OCTOBER 18, 2018
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, OCTOBER 18, 2018
AN ACT
Designating the amethyst as the official State gemstone of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Findings and declarations.
The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) Pennsylvania is well known for a variety of vast
deposits of minerals, including quartz, which is mined in
this Commonwealth.
(2) Amethyst is a vibrant, purple gemstone and the most
beautiful type of quartz.
(3) Amethyst appropriately represents Pennsylvania
because it is found in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and has
a captivating beauty.
(4) Amethyst is the focal point of the crown worn by the
winner of the Miss Pennsylvania pageant.
(5) The Miss Pennsylvania crown and the amethyst
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gemstones featured in the crown have many unique connections
to Pennsylvania.
(6) The Miss Pennsylvania crown was commissioned by the
Pennsylvania Jewelers Association and handmade by
Pennsylvania resident and jeweler Jim Seitzer.
(7) The Miss Pennsylvania crown is encrusted with 92
carats of amethyst donated by jewelers throughout
Pennsylvania.
(8) The Miss Pennsylvania crown has a design which is
inspired by the keystone shape to pay homage to
Pennsylvania's nickname, "The Keystone State."
(9) Pennsylvania is nicknamed "The Keystone State"
because Pennsylvania was the middle colony of the original 13
American colonies.
(10) Accordingly, a 37 carat amethyst gemstone in the
shape of a keystone is at the center of the Miss Pennsylvania
crown.
(11) The official State plant of Pennsylvania is the
Penngift Crownvetch, commonly known as the "Purple Crown."
(12) It is fitting that Pennsylvania be represented by
the beauty of the attractive purple blooms of the "Purple
Crown" and the radiant purple amethyst gemstones of the
"Purple Crown" worn by Miss Pennsylvania.
Section 2. Official State gemstone.
Amethyst is hereby designated as the official State gemstone
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Section 3. Effective date.
This act shall take effect immediately.
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