If you’re into tourmalines, then Maine is the place for you! It’s filled to the brim with prime places that contain these fascinating gems in different colors. In fact, with so many spots to explore, you might feel a bit overwhelmed.
But you don’t have to worry, because we got you. We’ll share our most recommended places for your tourmaline hunting here, such as Mount Mica, Plumbago Mountain, Mount Rubellite, Cathance River, and the mines in the Newry area.
Without further ado, let’s begin our thrilling discussion!
- The deep experience and understanding of our team about the area
- Recommendations from local groups and clubs
- How easy it is to get the a particular location
- Safety and potential hazards when collecting
- Weighing private and public locations
- The ability for both experienced and novice rock enthusiasts to find great samples
With these factors in mind we’ve been able to put together a fantastic list that just about anyone can use!
The Best Places To Find Tourmaline
Our state may be small in area, but it has plenty of great gem mines. But if you want to focus on tourmalines, below are the prime places where we had the most success finding them:
Always Confirm Access and Collection Rules!
Before heading out to any of the locations on our list you need to confirm access requirements and collection rules for both public and private locations.
These requirements are subject to change without notice and may differ from what we state below.
Always get updated information directly from the source ahead of time to ensure responsible rockhounding.
Mount Mica
Mount Mica is where tourmaline was first found in the United States back in 1820. That’s right! People have been coming here for over 200 years to find these colorful gems.
It’s nestled in the rolling hills near the town of Paris, with a terrain that’s a mix of rocky areas and soil. It’s famous for its pegmatites, which are rocks that form in the last stages of magma cooling and contain large crystals, including tourmaline. The tourmalines here can be in many colors, from deep greens to bright pinks.
To get to Mount Mica, you can simply drive to Paris. Once you’re here, you may have to hike because the best places to find tourmaline could be off the beaten path. But before exploring, make sure you abide by Maine’s collecting guidelines.
Where we found tourmaline in Mount Mica
You can find tourmaline in the pegmatite deposits of Mount Mica, which are exposed in pegmatites in various open pits and trenches. You can also find tourmaline often embedded in quartz or feldspar, requiring careful extraction.
The tools every crystal hunter will need
When you're out looking for crystals having the right tools for the job is very important. You don't need a lot for most trips but there are a handful that are critical and will make your life a lot easier.
We get asked a lot about the equipment we use. Over the years we've found a handful of tools that we recommend to both new and experienced crystal miners which we outline in great detail in our complete rockhounding supplies guide. These are quality options that also happen to be relatively inexpensive.
Below are the basic tools that make your life so much easier and save you a ton of time. Check out the full guide to see everything we recommend bringing. One quick note, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases but we try very hard to only recommend gear we would use ourselves and often recommend brands you can't find on Amazon.
At a minimum you should have:
1 - Sturdy rock hammer: The Estwing Rock Pick is our standard
2 - Rugged chisels: Try Kendo' 3-piece Chisel Set
3 - Compact shovel: The Koleiya 28-inch shovel works well
4 - Rock screen pan: The Wazakura Soil Sieve Set fits the bill
5 - Eye protection: DeWalt Safety Glasses are cheap and comfortable
6 - Head protection: Malta's Safety Helmet has been our go-to
7 - Jewelers lens with at least 20x magnification: Jarlink's Jewelers Loop is perfect
The crystal-finding books that we use most
There are also a few books that have been extremely helpful in the search for gems. These books have great recommendations and tips:
National Audubon Society Field Guide to Rocks and Minerals: North America
Northeast Treasure Hunter's Gem & Mineral Guide
Earth Treasures: The Northeastern Quadrant
We provide links to find these tools on Amazon but some can also be found at your local hardware stores. For more recommendations check out the link to our full tool guide above.
Plumbago Mountain
Plumbago Mountain is nestled in the picturesque landscapes of Newry. Its scenery is a mix of beautiful forests and rocky terrain, making your search for tourmaline also visually stunning.
The terrain at Plumbago Mountain offers a variety of spots where you can find tourmaline. You’ll come across areas with exposed bedrock and loose soil, perfect for digging and exploring.
Getting to Plumbago Mountain is pretty straightforward. It’s near the town of Newry, accessible by road. A good map or a GPS will help you find the exact location.
Where we found tourmaline in Plumbago Mountain
You can find tourmaline if you explore the area mines in Plumbago Mountain. You can also search for this crystal at the pit of the Halls Ridge in the area.
Mount Rubellite
Mount Rubellite is actually named after a variety of tourmaline known for its vibrant red and pink hues. It’s surrounded by the stunning natural beauty of Maine’s landscapes, featuring dense forests and rolling hills.
The terrain here is diverse, with areas of exposed bedrock and soil rich in mineral deposits. Tourmaline from Mount Rubellite is remarkable for its variety of colors, especially rubellite and green ones.
To reach Mount Rubellite, you can drive using a map or GPS. The journey going here is part of the adventure, as the paths are nothing short of scenic.
Where we found tourmaline in Mount Rubellite
To find tourmalines in Mount Rubellite, you can search through the pegmatite outcrops and prospects north of the area.
Cathance River
Cathance River flows through the charming town of Topsham. The area around it is a mix of lush forests and rocky banks.
The terrain along the Cathance River is varied, with spots where the river cuts through rock, leaving exposed areas that are ideal for finding minerals. Here, the bedrock and loose stones along the riverbanks are great places to look for tourmaline.
To get to the Cathance River, head towards the town of Topsham. It’s easily reachable by car, and using GPS will help you find the best spots along the river.
Where we found tourmaline in the Cathance River
You can find tourmaline in the area overlooking the Cathance River in the feldspar quarries at Brunswick.
Newry
Newry is a small town surrounded by a picturesque landscape of mountains, forests, and rivers. Its terrain is varied, with everything from gentle hills to rugged mountains and serene river valleys. This diverse landscape offers numerous opportunities to find different kinds of rocks and minerals.
This town is home to the famous Dunton Quarry, a must-visit spot for any rock hunter. This quarry has produced some of the most spectacular tourmaline specimens in the world.
If you want to pay a visit here, your journey will be straightforward. It’s located in Oxford County and is easily accessible by car.
Where we found tourmaline in Newry
You can uncover tourmalines if you explore the area mines of Newry, such as the Dunton Quarry, also known as the Newry Gem Mine, and the Newry Mines, such as the False Mine, Lower Mine, and Nevel Quarry.
Other Great Places To Find Tourmaline
If you’re looking for more prime places to find tourmaline, we have lots more in store for you. We’ve listed them down by county below:
Our recommendations by county
| County | Location |
| Androscoggin | Many area mines in Auburn, such as Androscoggin Tourmaline, Fisher, Hatch Farm, Greenlaw, Keith (Towne), Maine Feldspar, Pulsifer |
| Androscoggin | Bell (Giddings) prospect |
| Androscoggin | La Flamme Mine |
| Androscoggin | Phillips Mine |
| Androscoggin | Sturtevant Mine |
| Androscoggin | Berry Quarry |
| Androscoggin | Mine on Mount Apatite |
| Cumberland | LaChance Quarry |
| Franklin | Hardin-Keith-Small prospect |
| Kennebec | Winslow Tin Mine |
| Knox | Appleton Mine |
| Oxford | Donahue prospect |
| Oxford | Guy Johnson Mine prospect |
| Oxford | Sterns prospect (Hornet Mine) |
| Oxford | Pingree Ledge Quarry |
| Oxford | Peabody Mt. Quarry |
| Oxford | Bumpus Quarry |
| Oxford | J.H. Fletcher Mine |
| Oxford | Exposure near Rout 117 in Buckfield |
| Oxford | Irish (Westinghouse) Mine |
| Oxford | Tiger Bill Mine |
| Oxford | Mud Pond |
| Oxford | Mines in the Greenwood Mining District |
| Oxford | Hibbs Quarries |
| Oxford | Hill No. 4 Quarry |
| Oxford | Rubellite (Cushman) Mine |
| Oxford | Rumford Point |
| Oxford | Tubbs Ledge |
| Oxford | Scribner Ledge Quarry |
| Oxford | Little Singpole Group of mines, such as the Foster Mine, Haveringen Mine, and the Mills Quarry |
| Oxford | Hoopers Ledge (Twitchell Mine |
| Oxford | Mt. Marie Mine |
| Oxford | Perham Mine |
| Oxford | Whitecap Mountain |
| Oxford | Elliot Mine |
| Oxford | Willis Warren Quarry |
| Oxford | Scribner Mine |
| Sagadahoc | Combs Quarry |
| Sagadahoc | Ordway mines |
| Sagadahoc | Moffatt mines |
| Sagadahoc | McKay Farm prospect |
| Sagadahoc | Rogers Mine |
| Sagadahoc | Thomas Quarry |
| Sagadahoc | Willes Feldspar Quarry |
| Sagadahoc | Fisher Quarry |
| Sagadahoc | Numerous area quarries in Topsham |
| Sagadahoc | Square Pit Quarry |
| Sagadahoc | Davis Mine |
| Sagadahoc | Trott Cove Mine |
Laws about collecting tourmaline
Collecting tourmaline is generally legal in our state, but it depends on where you are and whose property you’re on.
If you’re on private land, you need the landowner’s permission. Remember, much of the land where tourmaline is found here is privately owned. On public lands, such as state parks, collecting is often restricted or prohibited to protect natural resources.
In commercial quarries, like the ones in Newry, you can collect tourmaline for a fee, and they provide a legal and safe way to hunt for gems. Always check the rules and regulations of the area you’re planning to visit. For more guidance, check with the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry (DACF).
The Best Places To Buy Tourmaline
If you prefer a more laidback way of finding and probably taking home a tourmaline, you can visit our local crystal shops. Some of our favorites are:
- Crystal Joys – 191 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101
- Lavish Earth – 15 Holly St, Scarborough, ME 04074
- Leapin’ Lizards Bridge2Heaven – 364 Maine Mall Rd, South Portland, ME 04106
- Northern Maine Minerals, LLC – 16 Pritham Ave, Greenville, ME 04441
- The Raven Collections – 406 Main St, Norway, ME 04268
