Tourmaline Queen Mountain (Pala; Queen), Pala District, San Diego Co., California, USA

Tourmaline Queen Mountain rises 1922 feet above mean sea level (AMSL), and overlooks the Pacific Ocean and San Diego City towards the distant southwest. The mountain has been erroneously referred to as "Pala" mountain in historic literature. The name "Tourmaline Queen" has appeared on most official maps produced since the late 1940's. In much of the popular literature, the name is shortened to "Queen Mountain", usually to avoid confusion as to the relation between the individual mines and prospects. The mountain was named by locals in honor of the Tourmaline Queen mine. The mountain is primarily gabbroic rock, and hosts several gem-and-rare earth element (REE)-bearing pegmatite veins or dikes.

References:
Cooper, J. R. 1962. Bismuth of U.S., USGS MR - 2. Commodities (Major) - Lithium, Bismuth. Development Status: Producer. Host Rock: Gabbro. Note: Stewart & Other Mines.

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. Chapter 1, pages 61-78.

Jahns, R. A., and Wright, L. A. 1951. Gem and Lithium-Bearing Pegmatites of the Pala District, San Diego County, California. California Division of Mines and Geology Special Report 7A, 72 p.