Beebe Hole Mine, Mt. Tule, Jacumba District, San Diego Co., California, USA

Summary:

A 12- to 15-ft-thick pegmatite dike strikes north 22 degrees west, and is exposed intermittently for about 1/2 mile in schist and quartzite. Faulting of the dike has caused the dip to range from 5 degrees to 60 degrees southwest. Pockets within the dike have gem minerals of quartz, goshenite, aquamarine, and kunzite. In addition to gem minerals, minor concentrations of lithiophilite, cassiterite, cleavelandite, columbite/tantalite, black tourmaline (schorl), and mica were observed. Most pockets are filled with montmorillonite clay. Pockets range in size from a few inches to several feet; with three to five pockets commonly occurring within these zones of enrichment.

Workings & Production:

Three adits, each less than 20 feet long, and one open cut. According to Loren Beebe's co-partner Fred Stevens, $500.000 in gem quality kunzite was produced from pockets found between 1974 and 1986. He further stated that several thousand dollars of aquamarine was produced during the early 1980's.

Sample Data:

According to the USGS, it is highly probable that additional gem-bearing pockets will be found in this deposit. No samples were taken in 1986 for analysis. Four zones with multiple pockets within the pegmatite were observed to contain small quantities of gem-quality aquamarine, kunzite, and quartz.

References:

Todd, V. R. et al. 1987. Mineral Resources of the Sawtooth Mountains and Carrizo Gorge/ Eastern McCain Valley Wilderness Study Areas, San Diego County, California. U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1711-B, 26 p., maps.

Additional References:

CALIF. STATE MINING BUR. BULLETIN 37, 1905, P. 26-27.

CALIF. STATE MINING BUR. REPORT 14, 1914, P. 703-705.

CALIF. JOUR. MINES AND GEOL., V. 35, 1939, P. 37-38.

CALIF. DIV. MINES AND GEOL. COUNTY REPORT 3, 1963, NO. 6, P. 11.

U. S. BUR. MINES OPEN-FILE REPORT MLA 23-85, 1985, TABLE 1, NO. 6, P. 11.

Commodities (Trace) - Gemstone, Gemstone - Semiprecious
Development Status: Producer