A complex and highly mineralized granitic pegmatite-aplite dike, located near the village of Pala. The pegmatite was originally mined during the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a source of lithium from massive pods of lepidolite that occur in the dike. Was reopened in the late 1960's as a gem mine and has periodically produced specimens and gem material of elbaite, as well as morganite and kunzite. The mine is particularly known for its reddish-pink elbaite.
The property is on private land, patented in 1949 by Blanche C. Crane.
References:
Merrill, F. J. H. 1914. Geology and Mineral Resources of San Diego and Imperial Counties: Gems, Lithia Minerals. California State Mining Bureau, San Francisco, Cal. California State Printing Office, December. Chapter 1, pages 61-110.
Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 282, 730, 1051.
Mineralogical Record: 20(5): 399.
Mineralogical Record: 29: 164.
Rocks & Minerals (1988): 63: 21.
Rocks & Minerals (1990): 65: 45.
Mineralogical Record: 33(5): 363-407.
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Map Reference: 33°22'52"N , 117°3'45"W
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