Ancient Egyptian Scarab, Apple Green Maine Tourmaline & Blue Sapphire Necklace

Fifteen years ago a gem salesman, someone we occasionally bought gems from, was in our store. He said, “I’ve got something you’re going to want.” I said, “What?” He said, “A big, 8 carat, apple green from the ’72 find.” I said, “We probably don’t.” He showed it to me and said, “It’s been years since a Maine apple green of this size has been available.” I agreed and said, “In the early years we bought a lot.” He said, “But I’ll bet you don’t have an 8 carat apple green.” I said, “You might be surprised.” He said, “Why don’t I see any in your show case?” I said, “Because we mount just a few up each year and they sell quickly.” He told me his price, I said, “That’s twice what we’re selling ours for.” He said, “Okay, but this is one of the last big Maine apple green tourmaline in the world.” I said, “Not by a long shot.”

Yes, big apple green Maine tourmaline vanished from our regular cutter’s inventory in the mid-1990s. By that time we had 25 years to acquire the best gems. One of the gems we acquired was this 10.63 carat Maine apple green scarab gem from the 1972 find on Plumbago Mountain in Newry, Maine (America’s largest gem find). We bought a suite of scarabs in the early years of the find, and we simply put them away and brought them out recently. Is the gem rare? Yes! Is it duplicatable? No! Not by anyone in the world except us. Does this gem possess super powers for the wearer? In Ancient Egypt the scarab offered protection at birth and life, as well as protection in death and a promise of rebirth. The scarab was also a symbol of the eternal cycle and assuring the return of the sun. We have added 4 blue sapphires at the cardinal points of north, south, east, and west. Egyptians were the first culture to name the color blue. The colors blue and green are beautiful together.

A Maine Story
An American Gem

First discovered in 1820 and subsequent finds over the years, it put Maine on the world map as a source for high quality tourmaline gems. A major discovery in 1972 on Plumbago Mountain in Newry, Maine cemented Maine as a significant world source of fine tourmaline gemstones.

Cross recognized the historical significance of this find and began working closely with the miners of these magnificent gems. The close partnership continues today with the ongoing discoveries in Maine’s western mountains.

100% Natural

We’ve been to the mines. We know the miners. We know the gem cutters. We guarantee our tourmaline to be from Maine and 100% natural. Cross maintains the largest collection of fine Maine tourmaline jewelry in the world.

Window of Opportunity

Nearly fifty years has passed since the major 1972 tourmaline find in Newry, Maine where they found 3.5 million carats of tourmaline crystals. Over the years we bought more than we sold knowing that gem finds don’t last forever. There are now colors, sizes, and shapes that are extremely rare and in some cases no longer available. If you see something you love it’s best to act quickly. There’s no guarantee another like it exists.

Case in point: In 2007 there was a find of tourmaline in Newry, Maine called Eureka Blue. People loved the color. The gems sold quick, but the find was small and the mining only lasted a few seasons. By 2013 all the large Eureka gems had sold. We still get calls from people who are now ready to buy. What they want, however, simply does not exist.

Gem finds are rare, especially in North America. Maine tourmaline is a piece of Maine and American history, it’s a connection to place, an exquisite creation of nature. Today, there is a rare opportunity to own a bit of Maine/American pride and heritage, in choosing a piece of Maine tourmaline jewelry.

Real Pricing
Shop with Confidence

Since 1908, Cross Jewelers has maintained a guiding philosophy of our founder William Cross to use the very best gems and precious metals in order to create fine well-made jewelry. William also believed in putting the best most conservative price on everything he created. We continue that tradition today.

Providing the markets remain stable, the price you see today is the price you’ll see next week or next month. In over 100 years we’ve never had a sale. All our prices are real so you can shop online with confidence.