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

• Display
  • Standard
  • Detailed
  • By Strunz Category
  • By Dana Category
• Photos
  • Mineral Photos (11)
  • - Full View (11)
  • Add Photo
• Maps
  • Map Pages
  • Nearest Localities
• Search
  • Mineral Search
  • Search Google

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.

References