Maine Tourmaline
Forever Infinity Link
200th Anniversary Bracelet
I was seven, it was 1956. In the attic I found a history book on Maine tourmaline. The story of two kids from Paris, Maine, who found a treasure trove of tourmaline on Mount Mica in the hills above Paris, Maine.
Short version: It was October, 1820, late in the day. Looking toward the sun, one of the boys caught sight of a flash of green on the roots of an up-turned tree. Advancing to the spot, he picked up a gem crystal of what was later to be identified as tourmaline, a precious gem. The kids were excited. The roots were covered with green crystals. Tourmaline was found, and Maine became a state that same year, 1820.
Our infinity bracelet has ten infinity links, leading to a center, interlocked, holding a 5mm green Maine tourmaline from Mt Mica. This is our 200th Anniversary bracelet. At age seven I asked my grandfather, Lin Cross, about the discovery. He said it was true. I asked why he had never told me about gems being found in Maine and this discovery. He said it was history, and it was a long time ago, and it had never occurred to him to bring it up.
I felt sad that I was born too late and had missed this great discovery. Little did I realize that 16 years later, I would become the jeweler to America’s greatest gem find. The 1972 discovery of tourmaline on Plumbago Mountain in Newry, Maine was where they found 3 1/2 million carats of gem tourmaline, two metric tons of gems. A quantity so vast we’re still cutting gems from this tourmaline find today.
In 1820 Maine became a state. 1820 tourmaline was found by Elijah Hamlin and Ezekiel Holmes. The western mountains of Maine is one of the principal locations in the world for fine tourmaline.
Maine Tourmaline
Forever Infinity Link
200th Anniversary Bracelet
The Maine Tourmaline Forever Infinity Link Bracelet
celebrates the 200th Anniversary
of the discovery of tourmaline in Maine
and the 200th year of Maine becoming a state.
Little figure 8’s looping and flowing kind of like G clefs, but smooth. No unbroken surfaces, all linked coming from the left and right, with two big loops meeting in the middle, and a 5mm forest green Maine Tourmaline securely set within a halo of silver or 14K yellow gold. You’ll have this one for a good long time. Perhaps forever.
We make this bracelet in two ways:
all sterling silver and
all 14K yellow gold.
Maine Tourmaline
Forever Infinity Link
200th Anniversary Bracelet
Here’s what we know: since 1972, there have been several major discoveries of tourmaline in Maine’s western mountains. The discoveries have been in the mountains and on top of hills without cropping’s of important mineralization. Those in the know understand that many more locations of gem tourmaline are likely to be found in the future, in five or fifty years. Certainty of discovery, absolutely, we just don’t know when or where. It’s always best to acquire now because you never know when existing gem stock will run out or how long you may have to wait for another gem discovery.
This is a light, easy breezy bracelet. The gem is super safe, bezel set. solid, safe, secure with an easy to use lobster claw clasp.
Maine Tourmaline, A Maine Story
An American Gem
First discovered in 1820 and in subsequent finds over the years, these early discoveries 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 established 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 go to Maine’s gem mines. We know the miners. We know the gem cutters. We guarantee our tourmaline to be from Maine and is 100% natural. Cross maintains the largest collection of fine Maine tourmaline jewelry in the world.
Window of Opportunity
Fifty years have 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 gem like this one 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 quickly, but the find was small and the mining only lasted a few seasons. Within three years of the discovery, all the large Eureka gems had sold. We still get calls from people who are now ready to buy. What they want, however, simply no longer exists from that find in 2007.
Gem finds are rare, especially in North America. Maine tourmaline is a piece of Maine and American history, it’s a connection to a place we all love, an exquisite creation of nature. Today, there is a rare opportunity to own a bit of Maine/American pride and heritage, and history in choosing a piece of Maine tourmaline jewelry.
