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
ColumnistsJan 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Setting the Next Generation Up for SuccessIn his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.
SurveysJan 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls Below Pandemic Lows in JanuaryThe index fell to its lowest level since May 2014 amid concerns about the present and the future.
IndependentsJan 28, 2026
Foundrae Heads to Aspen for Latest Store OpeningThe new store in Aspen, Colorado, takes inspiration from a stately library for its intimate yet elevated interior design.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
FinancialsJan 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Sales Resilient as LVMH’s 2025 Sales SlipThe brands’ high jewelry collections performed especially well last year despite a challenging environment.
Weekly QuizJan 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJan 27, 2026
De Beers London, GemFair Debut New Collection Highlighting Artisanal DiamondsThe collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.
TechnologyJan 27, 2026
Clientbook Launches Appointment Booking ToolThe new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
Francesca’s To Close All StoresThe retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
BIJC Names 5 New Board MembersThe new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.
CollectionsJan 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates 189 Years of Love StoriesThe jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.
GradingJan 26, 2026
DCA Updates Colored Gemstone CourseThe new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Acquires 4-Store Jewelry Chain in TexasFamily-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.
WatchesJan 23, 2026
Damiani Group to Acquire Baume & MercierThe Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.
TrendsJan 23, 2026
Martin Katz’s Earrings Call to Mind Wintry Weather Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Names New Director of Creative, Brand StrategyElla Blum was appointed to the newly created role.
Supplier BulletinJan 22, 2026
The Rise of Centralized Sourcing in the Colored Gemstone MarketSponsored by RapNet
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Lugano Diamonds Finds a BuyerInvestment firm Enhanced Retail Funding, a division of Gordon Brothers, was the successful bidder.
SourcingJan 22, 2026
De Beers To Release ‘A Diamond Is Forever’ BookIt explores the history of the iconic tagline and the company’s strategy to redefine the role of diamonds in society.
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Swarovski Appoints New North America PresidentRetail veteran Sindhu Culas has stepped into the role.
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Stuller Names New Chief Merchandising, Marketing, Sales OfficerTaylor Burgess, who has been at Stuller since 2013, was promoted to the newly created role.
PodcastsJan 21, 2026
Episode 1: High Gold Prices, the Diamond Dilemma, & What’s NextWas 2025 a good year for jewelers? Did lab-grown diamonds outsell natural? Find out on the first episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
EditorsJan 21, 2026
6 Jewelry Designers Poised to Have a Breakout Year in 2026Whether you recognize their jewels or are just discovering them now, these designers’ talent and vision make them ones to watch this year.
CrimeJan 21, 2026
4 Men Charged in $1.7M California Smash-and-Grab Jewelry Store RobberyPlus, JSA’s Scott Guginsky discusses the need for jewelers to take more precautions as the gold price continues to climb.
IndependentsJan 21, 2026
Delaware Jeweler Felice Morris Dies at 91Morris’ most cherished role was being a mother and grandmother, her family said.
