Discovering Hartland Carnelian: My Gemstone Journey in Maine

Hi, I'm Chandler.

My love for gemstone jewelry began right here in Maine, on my 10-acre raw land in Hartland. One day while exploring the property, I found a unique piece of translucent chalcedony—with warm, earthy tones, natural iron-rich patterns, and that subtle glow when light hits it just right. That stone sparked everything. I named it Hartland Carnelian, and it inspired me to dive into lapidary work: cutting, polishing, and setting stones in sterling silver.

Maine's mineral heritage is incredible—pegmatites and silica-rich deposits in areas like Somerset County have long produced gems like tourmaline, quartz, and occasional chalcedony/agate varieties. Finding my own on private land felt special. It wasn't the classic bright red carnelian from overseas; this was local, natural, grounding, and truly one-of-a-kind.

That discovery led me to source and handcraft pieces featuring other standout gems from around the world, like deep Lapis Lazuli and radiant Rwandan Amethyst, while staying rooted in Maine's rugged beauty. Every pendant or loose gem is untreated, hand-selected, and made with care—no duplicates, just nature's unique treasures.

Thanks for joining me on this journey. If you're curious about Hartland Carnelian or any of my pieces, browse the collection or reach out.