Latitude: 33°13'3"N
Longitude: 116°49'25"W
The Esmeralda is a gemstone mine located in the E½NE¼SW¼ Sec. 13, T11S, R1E, SBM, approximately 1.24 miles (2 km) west of the Himalaya on a ridge east of Temescal Canyon, and about 4.1 miles (6.6 km) northwest of Mesa Grande. The patented lode mining claim encompasses a large gem-and-rare earth element (REE)-bearing pegmatite deposit which has been developed by surface and underground workings.
History:
The deposit was originally prospected by Gail Lewis between 1899 and 1904 with modest success (Jahns and Hanley, 1953). The claim was subsequently taken over by Harry Dougherty, who patented the mine with the Native Gem Mining Co. in 1908, and worked the property until 1909. During this time, the mine produced some fine specimens of beryl and tourmaline of various colors (Sinkankas, 1959). According to Jahns and Hanley (1953), most of the production from the Esmeralda came from one very large pocket found in a section of the dike where the core bulges. Many specimens from this find were sold to museums in the eastern United States and Europe.
References
Kunz, George Frederick (1905a), Gems, jewelers’ materials, and ornamental stones of California: California Division Mines Bulletin 37, 171 pp.: 49.
Kunz, George Frederick (1906), Precious stones: Mineral Resources U.S., 1905: 1340.
Weber, F. H. (1963), Geology and mineral resources of San Diego County, California. California Division of Mines and Geology, County Report 3: pages 89-91.
Murdoch, Joseph & Webb, Robert W. (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 103.
Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 348, 389-390, 430-431, 435.
Mineral List
17 entries listed. 8 valid minerals.
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