Born in the rugged rock and stone that forms the very substance of the state, one gem stands alone as emblematic of the natural beauty of Maine. Coveted for centuries, the tourmaline is more popular now than ever.

Some call it "the Rainbow Gem," and the name is fitting. Tourmaline occurs in a sweeping range of colors from deepest black to nearly transparent, but it is most recognized along a spectrum spanning shades of red, green, and blue. The differences in color are a result of the various elements that combine to create the crystals. More than forty different mineral formulas exist within the tourmaline group. Darker colors result from varying levels of iron content. Magnesium tints the crystals toward the yellows. And when lithium is present, tourmaline bursts into its most coveted color possibilities, from delicate greens to bold pinks, even to combinations like the highly coveted "watermelon" variety, where a green "rind" shades gradually to a vivid pink interior.

**Lot 5006**:
VINTAGE TIFFANY & CO. 14K GOLD, TOURMALINE, AND DIAMOND BROOCH

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Tourmaline was first discovered in Maine in the 1820s, where explorers discovered the crystals in a pegmatite deposit on Mount Mica in Oxford County. That area continues to yield interesting stones to the present day, but tourmaline is also found elsewhere in the state, with a notable find in the 1970s near the town of Norway helping to elevate tourmaline to its present position as an icon of the state. Tourmaline is actively mined in Maine by commercial interests, but it is also gathered by amateur rockhounds of all ages and backgrounds. Tourmaline jewelry is much in demand as a memento for visitors to the state, and as an emblem of heritage for those for whom it represents the soil of home. Fittingly, in 1971, tourmaline was named the state's Official Gemstone.

**LOT 5108:**
VINTAGE 14K GOLD RING WITH GREEN TOURMALINE AND DIAMOND

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But tourmaline's popularity has long extended far beyond Maine's borders. A gemologist employed by Tiffany and Company in New York, George F. Kunz, called wider public notice to the beauty of the stone in the 1890s, and the gem quickly gained a global reputation for its distinctive beauty. Tourmaline was especially popular in turn-of-the-century China, where it became a favored gem in the household of Dowager Empress T'zu Hsi, and when large deposits were found in Brazil in a dazzling array of colors, worldwide demand for the stones soon followed.

**LOT 5216:**
14K GOLD NECKLACE WITH FREEFORM WATERMELON TOURMALINE PENDANT

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Tourmaline's wide range of colors makes it very much an "everything" gem, displaying favorably in any type of setting, whether as the dominant stone or in support of other gems. In its rosy pink variation it lends itself nicely to floral pieces, and in bolder tones of green or blue it makes an ideal accent stone. Most coveted of all, the distinctive "watermelon" variety seems made to order for pendants, bracelets, or earrings.

However you enjoy tourmaline, you'll find it to your liking in our Unreserved Collection Jewelry Auction. Examine our catalog, plan your bids, and experience for yourself the beauty of tourmaline!

Don’t Miss Your Chance

These rare and exceptional treasures from Maine will be offered on December 5, 2025 11:00 AM EST. Phone bidding and in-person registrations are limited—secure today by calling 207-354-8141 or by submitting a Phone/Absentee Bid Form.

For questions on bidding, visit our How to Bid page, or please contact us directly.

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