Gary Freeman, 61, bought a mine in Mount Mica, near Paris Hill, believed to have

Authors

Virginia Wright

Source

Down East

Date

6-1-2009

Pages

62-67

Abstract

Gary Freeman, 61, bought a mine in Mount Mica, near Paris Hill, believed to have been mined out. Under his direction, it has yielded world-class tourmalines, blue apatites, and rare pink quartz. Mount Mica is the center of a modest mining renaissance in Oxford and Sagadahoc counties, partly due to the 1989 discovery of the "Rose of Maine," one of the largest known gem morganites, in Buckfield. Maine is tenth in the nation in gemstone production, with gems mined in 2008 valued at $282,000. In 1993, with the discovery of the Fourth of July Pocket in Deer Hill--yielding 10,000 pounds of amethyst--it leapt to second place. Freeman's budget and meticulousness set him apart from his peers, but he says he doesn't mine for money, but for the thrill of discovery.

Subjects

Mount Mica South Paris, Mines and minerals

Recommended Citation

Wright, Virginia, "Gary Freeman, 61, bought a mine in Mount Mica, near Paris Hill, believed to have" (2009). Maine News Index - Down East Magazine. 3705.
https://digitalcommons.portlandlibrary.com/news_downeast/3705