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Lithia Dike Mine (Lithia Dyke claim), Cahuilla Mountain (Coahuila Mtn), Cahuilla, Cahuilla District, Riverside Co., California, USA

Verdelite
Lithia Dike Mine, Cahuilla Mountain, Cahuilla, Cahuilla District, Riverside Co., California, USA

Photo: 2005 SLR
Latitude: 33°34'6"N
Longitude: 116°46'21"W
Setting:
A lithia pegmatite occurrence located in the NE¼ Section 16, T7S, R2E, SBM, on the SE flank of Cahuilla Mountain.

History:
The deposit was first discovered in the early 1940's, and noted for the occurrence of columbite with cleavelandite. The area was rediscovered by Phil Osborn of nearby Hemet in early 1970’s, and claimed as the Lithia Dyke lode. The mine was later sold, and has been worked intermittently thereafter by various parties as recently as 1997.

The deposit primarily consists of two parallel northwest striking, northeast dipping complex pegmatites ranging from 1 to 10 feet in thickness. Development consists of shallow underground workings and surface cuts.

Mining efforts have produced several pounds of fine gem-quality elbaite including rubellite, verdelite and multi-colored crystals. Additionally, many large and lustrous schorl crystals, minor amounts of spessartine and almandine garnets; gem spodumene including kunzite and triphane; and morganite beryl crystals were recovered.

Mineral List

Albite
var: Cleavelandite
Almandine
Amblygonite
Beryl
var: Morganite

Columbite
Elbaite
Lepidolite
Microcline
Muscovite
Quartz
Schorl
Spessartine
Spodumene
var: Kunzite
'Tourmaline
var: Rubellite'

'var: Verdelite'


17 entries listed. 11 valid minerals.

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References

Fisher, D. J. (1944), Some of southern California pegmatites: unpublished manuscript, U.S. Geological Survey: 67.

Murdoch, Joseph & Webb, Robert W. (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 242.

Geffner, P. and Fisher, J. (1997), Recent Work at the Lithia Dyke Claim, Cahuilla Mountain, Riverside County, California. Rocks & Minerals, 72 (3): pp. 156-161.

Rocks & Minerals (1998), vol. 73.

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Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2012. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them. Further information contact the Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of hundreds of members and supporters. Mindat does not offer minerals for sale. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register.
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