Mountain Laurel Green Maine Tourmaline Ring

Portland is at the northeast edge of where Mountain Laurel naturally grows. My garden center assures me they have Mountain Laurel plants and sell them deeper into Maine, especially along the coast. Mountain Laurel is an evergreen and is temperature-sensitive. The deep engraved leaves on the east and west sides of this ring are Mountain Laurel.

The plant is called Mountain Laurel because as you travel further south, temperatures warm, and this plant self-selects a mountainside level, which is ideal for thriving. This ring is set with genuine green Maine tourmaline from Mt Mica, 50 miles north of our Portland location. Yes, at the moment, Mt Mica is probably beyond the range of where Mountain Laurel could naturally grow. As you look at this ring, you can feel the dynamic tension of this evergreen plant and this natural green gem.

The Mountain Laurel ring is a favorite because of the deep, rich engraving on the sides. When we make it with a green Maine tourmaline, symbolically, it becomes extra special.

Why We Love This Ring

We have made the Mountain Laurel design with a number of different colored gems. Green Maine tourmaline is perhaps one of our rarest combinations. The deep engraving makes this a ring of legend. It’s beautiful.

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.