|
All
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Tourmaline in America
Pink Tourmaline Himalaya Mine
The great colored gemstones mines of the world are mainly in Asia, South America and Africa. Most people don't think of the United States when they think of colored stones, though Montana sapphire and Oregon sunstone are known internationally. But the USA is certainly not up there with Burma, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Brazil, Tanzania and Mozambique as the source of the finest in colored gems. That was not always true. At one time the USA was very famous indeed for its tourmaline. China's Dowager Empress Tz'u Hsi, the last Empress of China, loved the pink tourmaline mined in Southern California, and bought vast quantities of it, especially for carving. Under her influence, China's appetite for this gem created a boom in the California tourmaline industry after 1902, particularly at the Himalaya Mine in California. But the boom ended in 1911, soon after the death of the Empress in 1908. The production of fine tourmaline in America was not confined to California. The first American tourmaline discoveries were made in 1822 in the state of Maine. California became a producer of tourmaline only 80 years later. In fact, tourmaline was the first gemstone mined in the United States by miners other than prehistoric man or Native Americans. Tourmaline mining began at Mount Mica, Maine, and with a few interruptions, has continued to the present day. During the early 1900s, Maine and California were the world's largest producers of tourmaline gemstones.
The Maine deposits tend to produce crystals in raspberry pink-red as well as minty greens. The California deposits are known for bright pinks, as well as interesting bicolors. Records suggest that from 1898 until 1914, the Himalaya Mine in San Diego County was the world's largest producer of tourmaline. In 1904, production from the mine was at least 5.5 metric tons. In 1989, 84 years later, a single pocket in the mine was discovered, that produced 500 kilograms of tourmaline. Mount Mica may have been the first tourmaline producer in Maine, but it is by no means the largest. Newry Hill, a spur off Plumbago Mountain, is the most prolific tourmaline producer in Maine. Since its discovery in 1898, production from the mine has exceeded thousands of kilograms of high-quality tourmaline.
Today most tourmaline comes from Brazil, Mozambique and Nigeria, with other deposits in Sri Lanka and Tanzania. The cost of mining the remaining tourmaline in Maine and California has become prohibitively high, but undoubtedly more deposits of excellent material are waiting to be discovered.
About Us
Overall Rating -> 10 It was great i bet there is a way to just look for blue gemstones but I found em so it doesn't matter. Posted By Aaron in October, 2022 Source: Bizrate Overall Rating -> 10 Problem loading new arrivals from the email link Posted By Oceansidelady in March, 2023 Source: Bizrate Overall Rating -> 9 Have just ordered a couple birthstones, hopefully correct size for the setting. Excited to see! Posted By Ellymae in March, 2023 Source: Bizrate Overall Rating -> 10 I love the variety of stones available, and especially that I'm not buying from a stock image -- the stone I see online is the actual one I'm getting. Posted By Kel in January, 2023 Source: Bizrate Overall Rating -> 10 ES MI PRIMERA COMPRA, EN CUANTO A LA INFORMACION Y GUIA PARA COMPREAR VEO QUE ESTA MUY BIEN.ESPEREMOS A VER COMO TERMINA LA ENTREGA DEL ARTICULO. Posted By ANGEL in June, 2022 Source: Bizrate Overall Rating -> 10 After working with and polishing low-grade, rough fire-agate, only to be disappointed, this shop was nirvana. The costs of some gems might seem high, but I have easily spent the same amount rough polishing lousy material only to get a few hints of fire. If you want Fire-agates, BUY the agates you want. These are excellent specimens and are worth considering. Posted By Jim in October, 2022 Source: Bizrate Overall Rating -> 10 The website is quick, easy, good layout, very clear and easy to use. Posted By Mouse in February, 2023 Source: Bizrate Related Articles Hiddenite Info Hiddenite Gemstone Information - GemSelect ... Pink Tourmaline Gems Pink Tourmaline Gemstones - Hot Pink, Soft Pink, big or small. ... American Gemstones American Gemstones ... California Benitoite California Benitoite ... The Pearls of America The Pearls of America - a curious source of these precious gems ... |
| STAY IN TOUCH |
| *You're signing up to receive GemSelect promotional email. |
Privacy Notice © 2005-2023 GemSelect.com all rights reserved.
Reproduction (text or graphics) without the express written consent of GemSelect.com (SETT Company Ltd.) is strictly prohibited.
642
|
More Shapes
|
English speaking customer support only
|
|
Toll Free - USA & Canada only: |
Save Money
No shipping Fees for Additional Items!
$8.90 Worldwide Shipping
|
Update Translation
|
||||
|
||||
|
Size and Weight
|
|
Gems are always measured in Millimeter (mm) Dimensions are given as; Select gems by size, not by weight! Note: 1ct = 0.2g  |
