What I did not expect to find on my ski weekend!

As I always say, inspiration is everywhere!  This weekend I took my first trip up to Bethel, Maine for a girl's weekend at Sunday River.  As we were approaching our house, I started seeing signs for "Beautiful locally mined Tourmaline" and "Find Local Gemstones here", I could not believe my eyes!  After visiting a few shops I have learned that although Tourmaline is mined worldwide, it was the first gemstone mined in the United States by European settlers in the 1820s in the state of Maine.

Other  significant sources of tourmaline include Brazil, Italy (elbaite is named for Elba, Italy), Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Russia, and the United States.  Most tourmaline in the US comes from California or Maine.  Maine produces beautiful sherbet colors of tourmaline and spectacular mint greens. California is known for perfect pinks, as well as beautiful bicolor. Tourmaline is amazing for beading, in addition to its durability, most stones are brilliant containing two or more colors. 

I will make sure we find a great source to bring "Maine" tourmaline into Sweet Beads, the color palette is perfect for Spring projects!  Talk about "Shopping Local"!!!