interested
in the study of the minerals which were of frequent occurrence in the
fields about their homes. One day in the fall of 1820, after hunting
some time for specimens, they were attracted by the gleam of something
green at the roots of a tree. They eagerly secured the mineral, and
found it to be a beautiful green tourmaline. However, it was late in
the day and their explorations could not go further. Then chance
further delayed the discovery of more of the beautiful crystals, for
that night it snowed heavily, and no further work could be done in the
frozen ground until the following spring. But with the first thaw the
boys worked with great interest, and soon secured many fine gems. Since
that time the locality has been extenÂsively worked, and some of the
gems taken from it have found places in the crowns of kings. Ten years
ago it was estimated that #50,000 worth of tourmalines had been taken
from this one spot.
Other
localities for mining tourmalines are California, which furnishes in
particular the red tourmaline, Brazil, Siberia, and Ceylon.
Since
tourmalines are of relatively recent disÂcovery there are no historical
associations coupled with them, and no legends are related of them,
although the story of their strange discovery and the beauty of the gem
would seem to deserve this.
