SourcingSep 15, 2022
See the 101-Carat Rough Ruby With Record-Setting Potential SourcingSep 19, 2022
Maine Museum Ready to Reveal Jewelry Designs Set with Historic Tourmalines
The Maine Mineral & Gem Museum enlisted 12 jewelers to create pieces using gems from 1972’s “The Big Find” for fundraising.
The Maine Mineral & Gem Museum will soon reveal the 12 designs created using gemstones from the historic “Big Find” discovery of tourmaline in the early 1970s. “The Big Reveal” will take place Oct. 8 in Newry, Maine.
Bethel, Maine—It’s almost time for the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum to reveal the jewels created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of the most significant gem tourmaline finds in North America.
In October 1972, four men unearthed a huge source of tourmaline crystals at the Dunton Mine on Plumbago Mountain in Newry, Maine, a discovery known as “The Big Find.”
It resulted in more than a ton of gem tourmaline produced between 1972 and 1974 and revived gemstone mining in the state. The discovery included everything from green to red to watermelon tourmaline.
The museum already has specimens from the find in its permanent exhibitions, but in honor of the 50th anniversary of The Big Find, it announced earlier this year a new initiative to tell the story of the discovery through the lens of jewelry artists.
Twelve jewelers from across the country were selected by a jury of industry experts to create a piece of jewelry using one of the tourmaline gemstones reserved from the discovery as part of “The Big Find: A Legend Continues.”
Now, months after announcing the project, the museum and the artists are nearly ready to reveal those pieces.
They will be debuted at “The Big Reveal” on Oct. 8, a ‘70s themed runway event to be held in Newry, Maine.
After the event, the collection will go to Tucson, Arizona, to be on display during the gems shows before being sold at an auction that will benefit the museum, located in Bethel, Maine.
The museum said the estimated value of the gemstones, which were donated, is $300,000. Its goal is to raise more than $1 million from the finished pieces.
Tickets for The Big Reveal are on sale now. General admission tickets are $50, while tickets for museum members are priced at $40.
There is also a limited number of VIP tickets available for $125; the VIP Experience includes access to the VIP Lounge, a first look experience, and more.
Related stories will be right here …
In October 1972, four men unearthed a huge source of tourmaline crystals at the Dunton Mine on Plumbago Mountain in Newry, Maine, a discovery known as “The Big Find.”
It resulted in more than a ton of gem tourmaline produced between 1972 and 1974 and revived gemstone mining in the state. The discovery included everything from green to red to watermelon tourmaline.
The museum already has specimens from the find in its permanent exhibitions, but in honor of the 50th anniversary of The Big Find, it announced earlier this year a new initiative to tell the story of the discovery through the lens of jewelry artists.
Twelve jewelers from across the country were selected by a jury of industry experts to create a piece of jewelry using one of the tourmaline gemstones reserved from the discovery as part of “The Big Find: A Legend Continues.”
Now, months after announcing the project, the museum and the artists are nearly ready to reveal those pieces.
They will be debuted at “The Big Reveal” on Oct. 8, a ‘70s themed runway event to be held in Newry, Maine.
After the event, the collection will go to Tucson, Arizona, to be on display during the gems shows before being sold at an auction that will benefit the museum, located in Bethel, Maine.
The museum said the estimated value of the gemstones, which were donated, is $300,000. Its goal is to raise more than $1 million from the finished pieces.
Tickets for The Big Reveal are on sale now. General admission tickets are $50, while tickets for museum members are priced at $40.
There is also a limited number of VIP tickets available for $125; the VIP Experience includes access to the VIP Lounge, a first look experience, and more.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Sourcing
The Latest
AuctionsSep 30, 2022
Red Diamond Earns $1.8M at AuctionThe final hammer price blew the pre-sale estimate out of the water.
EditorsSep 30, 2022
The Best of Betty White’s Jewelry Sold at AuctionMichelle Graff recaps the cats, fortune cookies, and charm bracelets that caught her eye while covering the late actress’ estate sale.
Policies & IssuesSep 30, 2022
Voting Is Open for the Fairmined 100 Challenge’s Best CollectionThe winners, picked by a group of judges and voted as the public’s favorite, will be announced in a webinar on Oct. 11.
Brought to you by
6 Steps to Start a Dynamic Company CultureLearn how to better serve your employees, customers and community by having a dynamic and supportive company culture.
CollectionsSep 30, 2022
Piece of the Week: Fewer Finer’s ‘Family Bracelet’The engravable piece is a perfect family heirloom.
Weekly QuizSep 29, 2022
This Week’s QuizTest your knowledge of the latest jewelry news with this quick test.
GradingSep 30, 2022
GSI India Names Ramit Kapur Managing DirectorKapur has spent nearly two decades working in the gemological labs sector of the jewelry industry.
Supplier BulletinSep 29, 2022
How to Create an Engaging Experience and a Sparkling ReputationSponsored by Synchrony
Brought to you by
Committing to an Ethical Diamond BusinessWhile ethical mining is essential to a diamond business, they represent only a fraction of the responsibility bestowed on jewelers.
AuctionsSep 29, 2022
See the Top Lots in Christie’s Upcoming Rare Watch SaleAccording to Christie’s, the auction is its most important single-owner watch collection ever.
CollectionsSep 29, 2022
Trove Has a New Proposal: Ring BoxesThe jewelry box brand is expanding with both single and double ring boxes in red, mint green, and white.
Policies & IssuesSep 29, 2022
JA Members Return to Capitol Hill to Voice Jewelers’ ConcernsThe topics up for discussion with lawmakers included inflation, rising interest rates, hiring challenges, and crime.
AuctionsSep 28, 2022
The 18-Carat ‘Fortune Pink’ Diamond Could Sell for $35M The pear-shaped fancy vivid pink diamond will lead the Christie’s Geneva Magnificent Jewels auction on Nov. 8.
SurveysSep 28, 2022
Consumer Confidence Rises in SeptemberU.S. consumer confidence rose for the second consecutive month as gas prices fell.
MajorsSep 28, 2022
Artistry’s 2023 Catalog Is Out NowThe jewelry catalog features an updated layout and 160 pages of product.
MajorsSep 28, 2022
JFC’s 2022 ‘Hope for the Holidays’ Program Is an Adorable Menagerie There are three designs to choose from this year, all featuring animals drawn by kids who have had wishes granted through Make-A-Wish.
AuctionsSep 27, 2022
In Betty White’s Blockbuster Estate Sale, Jewelry Held Its Own Fine jewelry comprised three of the auction’s top 10 lots, though it could not top her director’s chair or scripts from “The Golden Girls.”
CrimeSep 27, 2022
3 Suspects in Beverly Hills Smash-and-Grab Robbery ArrestedA total of four suspects are now in custody with police still on the lookout for the remaining two.
ColumnistsSep 27, 2022
Creative Connecting: Fun Ideas for Holiday 2022 In-Store EventsFrom a “whodunnit” murder mystery to a permanent jewelry party, Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share a wealth of suggestions.
MajorsSep 27, 2022
Stuller Releases 2 Updated Catalogs Ahead of the Holiday Season “Mountings 2023-2024” and “Diamonds & Gemstones 2023-2024” offer a vast selection of options to create custom pieces.
Events & AwardsSep 27, 2022
ICA’s 2023 Congress Will Be Held in Dubai The event will be hosted by the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre from Feb. 15-17.
IndependentsSep 26, 2022
Roberson’s Fine Jewelry to Close After 42 YearsThe store’s liquidation sale will showcase the mix of classic and unique jewels it’s known for stocking.
CollectionsSep 26, 2022
Go ‘Inside the Dream’ of Bulgari Via a New Documentary on Amazon Prime It follows Creative Director Lucia Silvestri as she crafts the brand’s high jewelry collections.
Recorded WebinarsSep 26, 2022
Watch: What Jewelers Should Know About InsuranceFrom safeguarding showcases to appraisal liability, insurance experts Mark Devereaux and Andrew Chipman share insurance tips for jewelers.
TrendsSep 26, 2022
Vahan Collabs With Wolf on a Jewelry BoxIt’s the first time in 50 years the brand has made something other than jewelry.
Events & AwardsSep 26, 2022
Texas Jewelers Association Rolls Out New Format for Design CompetitionThe competition takes place in tandem with TJA’s annual convention, known as the Texas Jewelers Roundup.
CollectionsSep 23, 2022
Pandora Reimagines Keith Haring’s Art in New CollectionThe limited-run collection features figures from Haring’s iconic street art on charms, bracelets, rings, and more.
GradingSep 23, 2022
GIA Career Fair Returns to Carlsbad The Gemological Institute of America also announced plans for events in New York and London in 2023.
