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 deposit is on private land, patented in 1949 by Blanche C. Crane.
References:
Fisher, J. 2002. Gem and rare-element pegmatites of southern California. Mineralogical Record, Volume 33, Number 5: pages 376-378, photographs.
Jahns, R. H. and Wright, L. A. 1951. Gem and Lithium-bearing pegmatites of the Pala District, San Diego County, California. California Division of Mines special report 7A: pages 59-61.
Kunz, G. F. 1905. Gems, jeweler's materials, and ornamental stones of California. California State Mining Bureau bulletin 37: pages 55-57; 124-125.
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.
Mineralogical Record: 20(5): 399.
Mineralogical Record: 29: 164.
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.
Rocks & Minerals (1988): 63: 21.
Rocks & Minerals (1990): 65: 45.
|
|
Map Reference: 33°22'52"N , 117°3'45"W
This locality information is for reference purposes only. You should never attempt to
visit any sites listed in mindat.org without first ensuring that you have the permission of the land and/or mineral rights holders
for access and that you are aware of all safety precautions necessary.
|
Mineral list contains entries from the region specified including sub-localitiesMineral List:97 entries listed. 38 valid minerals. 3 type localities (valid minerals). 1 erroneous literature entry.
Localities in this Region:
| USA | |
- Tourmaline Queen Mountain (Pala; Queen)
- Stewart Mine (MS 6162; Stewart Lithia)
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
|
The above list contains all mineral locality references listed on mindat.org. This does not claim to be a complete list. If you know of more minerals from this site, please register so you can add to our database!
|
