Do valuable gems occur in Maine?
Gemstones are varieties of certain minerals that have adequate color, hardness, and transparency to yield beautiful cut stones. The finished gems that you see in jewelry stores do not occur that way in nature. They usually have been fashioned by cutting and polishing the best parts of gem-quality crystals from around the world. Precious gems such as diamonds, rubies, and emeralds are not native to Maine, but some very good semi-precious gemstones have been found here. They include the gem varieties of quartz (colorless, rose, smoky, and amethyst), beryl (as blue aquamarine and pink morganite), and tourmaline (pink, green, blue, and multicolored). Deep red garnet crystals sometimes contain clear areas that are suitable for faceting, but usually yield only very small gems. Tourmaline is the official State Mineral of Maine, and the most valuable and highly sought-after gem material that can be found here. Gem tourmaline has been mined in Maine since the 1820’s, and the oldest location (Mt
Precious gems such as diamonds, rubies, and emeralds are not native to Maine, but some very good semi-precious gemstones have been found here. They include the gem varieties of quartz (colorless, rose, smoky, and amethyst), beryl (as blue aquamarine and pink morganite), and tourmaline (pink, green, blue, and multicolored). Deep red garnet crystals sometimes contain clear areas that are suitable for faceting, but usually yield only very small gems. Tourmaline is the official State Mineral of Maine, and the most valuable and highly sought-after gem material that can be found here. Gem tourmaline has been mined in Maine since the 1820’s, and the oldest location (Mt. Mica in Paris Hill) is still producing today. Tourmaline is actually a group of minerals having various colors and compositions. The black iron-rich schorl is most common in Maine. It may form sharp crystals but is not a suitable gem material. The species called “elbaite” is very colorful, but only a small percentage has the d
