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Tourmaline occurs in a rainbow of colors and is named from the Singhalese word "tourmali", referring to the multi-colored, water-worn pebbles found in the water gravels of Ceylon. In 1820, a tremendous deposit of tourmaline was discovered at Paris in Oxford County, Maine. The rainbow of material was reaped from this locale firmly established Maine as an important source of the world's finest tourmaline, and this distinction continues today. The tourmaline was designated as Maine's gemstone by an act of Legislature in 1971. The coloring of tourmaline varies from the delicate pastels to intense, rich colors. The black variety of tourmaline is known as schorl: brown or white material is dravite; the blue variety is indicolite; red or pink is known as rubellite; green tourmaline is often called elbaite; and colorless tourmaline is called achroite. The unusually pure color and clarity of the green tourmaline found in Oxford County and the adjoining tip of Androscoggin County has no equal. During the 17th century Brazil exported prism shaped crystals of dark green tourmaline to Europe, and for many years they were known as the "Brazilian emeralds". However, the discovery of large quantities of fine Maine tourmaline established the love affair with this gem which continues today.