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TOURMALINE
Since tourmaline
was discovered in Maine and brought into notice by Dr. Augustus C.
Hamlin, of Bangor, it has grown rapidly in favor. It was discovered in
1820 by Elijah L. Hamlin and Ezekiel Holmes, on Mount Mica, at Paris,
Maine. Since then many very beautiful crystals have been found in that
State.
Tourmaline
is remarkable for the number and variety of the elements of which it is
composed, and also for the variations in their proportions in
different specimens. In his book on " Gems and Precious Stones of North
America," Mr. George F. Kunz gives a table of the analysis of
twenty-seven specimens, of which not only are no two alike in
composition, but only a few contain the same proportion of any one of
the thirteen constituents.
It
is one of the most dichroic stones known, and in the crystal frequently
appears of a different color as it is viewed from the end or side
faces. It also produces a different colored gem as it is cut with or
across the prism. Crystals have been found light blue at one end
shading to deep blue and blue-black at the other; green outside and
pink within; green and pink at opposite ends; brown and yellow, etc.
The colors are seldom vivid, though some Siberians are a bright rich
red, and many of those from Maine are a brilliant green.
It is found in Maine, Massachusetts, and New York States, Brazil, Burmah, Ceylon, Siberia, the Urals, and the Isle of Elba.
Brazil and Ceylon tourmalines are usually yellowish green, and are found in the river-beds. The Siberian are 110
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