The Crystal Gem mine is located in the SE4SW4 Sec. 2, T11S, R7E, SBM[1], approximately 8 miles northwest of Jacumba, about 3 miles north-northeast of Boulevard, east of McCain Valley, within the In-Ko-Pah range of mountains, situated very low on the northwest slope of Mount Tule (Tulley Mountain). The deposit has been developed by several shallow cuts, and a short underground drift which is about 100 feet north of the road to Sacatone Spring, at an elevation of approximately 3967' AMSL.
The pegmatite was discovered around 1903 by San Diego County prospector William H. Trenchard, who had been busy locating essonite and spessartite garnet claims north of the Mexican line. Around 1904, Frederick J. Rynerson reported seeing one part of a beryl crystal that Trenchard had taken out, that measured over twelve inches in diameter. Rynerson described the location of the mine as situated in a draw not far west of another large pegmatite vein exposed on the northeast side of Mt. Tule. He also reported that the outcropping had produced some good spessartites, and that south of these workings were some small quartz stringers that carry very good star quartz material.
In 1905, Kunz reported that the Crystal Gem mine was owned by Collier and Smith of San Diego[2]. The principal output was reported as pink and green beryls associated with essonite and spessartite garnet, with generally favorable conditions for additional discoveries. The deposit was described as a ledge of coarse pegmatite, about 8 feet in width, and extending along strike for nearly a mile. Other minerals described are quartz crystals, albite, orthoclase, and indications of lithia were also found in conjunction[3]. The property at that time was described as not presently being worked, with plans of development likely for the following year. Production in 1904 was said to total 10 lbs of fine essonite garnet, and approximately 3-4 lbs of beryl. Kunz describes a spring of water on the property, and plenty of timber[4].
In 1963, Weber reported that very sparse, pale-green beryl crystals occur with black tourmaline and garnet in the core of a prominent pegmatite dike which strikes north-northwestward and dips steeply west. The core consists of mainly feldspar and quartz crystals up to 2 feet in length. The dike averages between 10-15 feet in thickness.
On January 11th of 1987, a lode mining claim was located on the deposit by Joseph J. Johanek of San Diego, and Vincent Breit of Welton, Arizona. The duo named their claim the Old School Mine, which only further confounded the physical location of the original Crystal Gem mine. Diligently working the pegmatite utilizing hand tools, Johanek and Breit have developed several short trenches and shallow pits along the main outcrop, whereby exposing several sections of pocket pegmatite laden with almandine and spessartine garnets, and water clear quartz crystals.
Footnotes:
1. It is probable that Weber's 1963 description of the mine location in the NW4NW4 Sec. 11, T11S, R7E, SBM, is erroneous, especially compared to his description of the workings and deposit, which also matches Rynerson's 1967 description. The dike appears traceable for nearly a mile along the surface, and may extend for several thousand feet southward into the NW4 of Section 11.
2. Colonel David Charles Collier (1871-1934), was an important mover and shaker in San Diego City and County in the early decades of the 20th century. D. "Charlie" Collier was a lawyer, real-estate developer, public servant, amateur archeologist, dabbler in minerals, and consultant in the holding of expositions. In 1899, Collier became a law partner of Judge W. P. Andrews. In 1900, he entered a new partnership with Sam F. Smith. As many of his clients were unable to pay him in cash, they gave him real estate they considered worthless. (http://www.sandiegohistory.org/bio/collier/collier2.htm)
3. It is possible that Kunz's 1905 description of the Crystal Gem deposit may have also included what became known as the Beebe Hole and Pack Rat mines, which Kunz describes as indications of lithia found in conjunction. These parallel dikes, which clearly layer up and merge at certain points, are located to the east of and dip beneath the Crystal Gem dike. Rynerson's 1967 description of the Crytal Gem deposit also refers to a large pegmatite vein east of the Crystal Gem, which likely includes the Beebe Hole and subsequent Pack Rat locations. Rynerson reported that around 1912, both he and Bill Trenchard hiked the whole length of the vein without seeing any concentrations of minerals leading to indications of a pocket, or mineralized zone. However, Loren D. Beebe's 1974 discovery of gem-quality spodumene (see: http://www.mindat.org/loc-55920.html), appears to validate Kunz's statement regarding indications of lithia, and places Rynerson about 1000 feet short of the kunzite-bearing area of mineralization. It is likely that Trenchard excluded this area from his hike with Rynerson in order to keep the spot secret.
4. Water is usually available nearby at Sacatone Spring, but the timber statement by Kunz is considerably tenuous.
References:
Amero, R. 1996. San Diego Biographies: Colonel D. Charles Collier (1871-1934). Online journal of San Diego History, San Diego Historical Society.
Bureau of Land Management, 2007. Old School Mine Lode Claim, San Diego County, CA: Serial Number Index of Claims, United States Department of Interior; Sept.
Fisher, J. 2002. Gem and rare-element pegmatites of southern California; Jacumba District. Mineralogical Record 33(5): p. 403-404.
Kunz, G. F. 1905. Gems, jeweler's materials, and ornamental stones of California. California State Mining Bureau bulletin 37: p. 152.
Mudoch, J. and Webb, R. W. 1948. Minerals of California, Bulletin 136. State of California, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mines, p. 70.
Rynerson, F. J. 1967. Exploring and mining for Gems and Gold in the West. Happy Camp, California: Naturegraph Publishers, Inc.: pages 8, 20, 40, 48, 204pp.
Sinkankas, J. 1997. Gemstones of North America. Vol. 3. Beryl; Spodumene; Tucson, Arizona: Geoscience Press Inc.; pages 59-60, 433-434, 480pp.
Weber, F. H. 1963. Geology and mineral resources of San Diego County, California. California Division of Mines and Geology, County Report 3: pages 101, 152.
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Map Reference: 32°42'50"N , 116°14'7"W
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