Little Three Mine (Little 3), Ramona District, San Diego Co., California, USA

A gemstone and specimen mine in pegmatite. One of the prime locations in North America for natural blue topaz. Major finds were made in 1976 and 1991. It is important to note that spessartite labeled as from the Little Three Mine is found on the adjacent Hercules pegmatite dike, a distinctly separate deposit which is also exposed on the property.

A very fine topaz-elbaite matrix specimen weighing about 150 pounds was mined in 1905 from the Little Three Mine main dike. The specimen was placed on display for many years at the San Diego Chamber of Commerce until it was moved to the newly opened Natural History Museum. During World War II, the Navy took over the museum, and the displays were crated and stored away. The specimen hasn't been seen again, and it is said to have likely been put onto a junk barge, and dumped into the ocean.

References:
Snyder, Doris (1962), Wonderful world of pegmatite minerals: Part I: Gems & Minerals, No. 293: 24-26, Feb, 1962: 24.

Rocks & Minerals (1984): 59: 80.

Rocks & Minerals (1988): 63: 21, 49 & 55.

Foord, E. E. et al. (1989), "Mineralogy and paragenesis of the Little Three mine pegmatites, Ramona District, San Diego Co., California." Mineralogical Record, 20(2), pp: 101-127.

American Mineralogist (1991): 76: 1998-2002.

Foord, E. E.; "Gem-Bearing Pegmatites of San Diego County, California;" Geological Excursions in Southern California and Mexico; M. J. Walawender and B. B. Hanan, Editors.