What is Maine’s State Stone?
Tourmaline
What is Tourmaline?
Tourmaline is a silicate gemstone family which comes in all colors of the rainbow naturally and is often referred to as the Rainbow Gemstone. It is also the Maine State Stone.
When was Tourmaline discovered in Maine?
Tourmaline was first discovered in Maine in 1821 by two young students interested in mineralogy who spent much of their leisure time searching for minerals among exposed ledges and mountains around the villages of Paris, Maine.
What is Maine Tourmaline?
Tourmaline has been mined in Maine for almost 200 years. All colors have been discovered here and Maine specimens are some of the most brilliant in the world.
What gem stones are mined in Maine?
Tourmaline, quartz including rose and smoky, amethyst and beryl including morganite and aquamarine.
What color is Tourmaline?
Tourmaline comes in all colors of the rainbow. Pink, green, blue-green, blue, black, white and multicolor.
What is the October birthstone?
October has two birthstones: Opal and Pink Tourmaline.
What kind of jewelry is made with Tourmaline?
Tourmaline can be cut into faceted gemstones, cabochon cut and beads. Coastal Jewelers makes tourmaline pieces in silver and gold; everything ranging from silver tourmaline bead earrings to custom made engagement ring and fine jewelry.
How does Tourmaline come in multiple colors?
The structure of the tourmaline does not change but the trace elements found in the earth cause different colors in tourmaline.
Tourmaline is a gemstone family which comes in many different colors and varieties. The crystalline structure of tourmaline is what keeps it under the same umbrella; however trace elements (which do not change the structure) within the stone is what causes it to come in different colors. IE: chromium causes green. The trace elements are picked up as the stone is forming under the earth’s surface.
Is Tourmaline precious or semi-precious?
Many will qualify tourmaline as semi-precious. This being said there are varieties of tourmaline which sell for much more than a sapphire or ruby for example, Paraiba Tourmaline, a rare form of copper bearing tourmaline from Brazil.
How many colors does Tourmaline come in?
Every color of the rainbow as well as black. Within each color there are endless saturations and hues.
How does color effect the value of Tourmaline?
Pink and green tourmaline are more common and therefore typically less expensive than the Indicolite (blue) and watermelon tourmaline. This is due to the Blue and Multi color tourmaline being less plentiful. Additional varieties such as Rubellite (raspberry) and chrome (bright green from chromium trace elements) will also demand higher prices per carat due to their rarity. Finally, the Paraiba tourmaline which is a brilliant neon blue, purple or green (copper bearing) is the rarest variety and thus the most expensive.
Is Maine Tourmaline more expensive than other Tourmaline?
Maine Tourmaline is typically more expensive than tourmaline from other locations due to the scarcity of Tourmaline mined in Maine.
Where is Tourmaline mined/found?
Tourmaline is mined in the Western Part of Maine as well as San Diego county in California. It is also mined in Brazil, Afghanistan, Mozambique, and Namibia.
What affects the price of Tourmaline?
There are many factors that go into the price of tourmaline. They include but are not limited to the clarity (eye clean), the origin, the color and the weight.
What is the rarest type of Tourmaline?
Paraiba Tourmaline is the rarest variety of Tourmaline. It was originally discovered in Paraiba, Brazil and is a copper bearing material. It has since been discovered in Mozambique. Paraiba Tourmaline can sell for upwards of $200,000 per carat.