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Stewart Mine (MS 6162; Stewart Lithia), Tourmaline Queen Mountain (Pala; Queen), Pala District, San Diego Co., California, USA

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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.



Article entry:
The Stewart Lithia Tourmaline Mine by E. R. Swoboda 2000Scott L. Ritchie





 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-localities


Mineral List:
  		•  Albite
    Na[AlSi
     
    3
    		O
     
    8
    		]
    Reference: [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.]
  		•  Albite
    var: Cleavelandite
    Reference: [San Diego Mining Company, 2008.]
  		•  'Albite-Anorthite Series'
    Reference: [Sheppard, J. B. 2008. History of the surface prospects and underground mining developments made along the northern portion of the Stewart pegmatite; personal communication with Scott L. Ritchie, SDMC. June/July.]
  		•  Almandine
    Fe
    2+
    3
    		Al
     
    2
    		[SiO
     
    4
    		]
     
    3
    Reference: [Sheppard, J. B. 2008. History of the surface prospects and underground mining developments made along the northern portion of the Stewart pegmatite; personal communication with Scott L. Ritchie, SDMC. June/July.]
  		•  'Amblygonite-Montebrasite Series'
    Reference: [Van King]
  		•  'Apatite'
    Reference: [Fisher, J. 2002. Gem and rare-element pegmatites of southern California. Mineralogical Record, Volume 33, Number 5: pages 376-378, photographs.]
  		•  Bermanite
    Mn
    2+
     
    		(H
     
    2
    		O)
     
    4
    		[Mn
    3+
    2
    		(OH)
     
    2
    		(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		]
    Reference: [Seaman, 1976. Pegmatite Minerals of the World.]
  		•  Beryl
    var: Goshenite
    Reference: [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.]
  		•  Beryl
    var: Heliodor
    Reference: [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.]
  		•  Beryl
    var: Morganite
    Reference: [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.]
    Site Photo
    Stewart Mine (MS 6162; Stewart Lithia), Tourmaline Queen Mountain (Pala; Queen), Pala District, San Diego Co., California, USA
    © 2001, Jesse Fisher
  		•  Beyerite
    Ca(BiO)
     
    2
    		(CO
     
    3
    		)
     
    2
    Colour: Greenish gray
    Description: Compact masses in pegmatite as a possible alteration product of bismuthinite.
    Reference: [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.]
  		•  Biotite
    Reference: [Sheppard, J. B. 2008. History of the surface prospects and underground mining developments made along the northern portion of the Stewart pegmatite; personal communication with Scott L. Ritchie, SDMC. June/July.]
  		•  Bismuth
    Bi
    Reference: [Seaman, 1976. Pegmatite Minerals of the World.]
  		•  Bismuthinite
    Bi
     
    2
    		S
     
    3
    Reference: []
  		•  Bismutite
    (BiO)
     
    2
    		CO
     
    3
    Reference: [www.gemandmineral.com/stewartmine.html.]
  		•  Chrysocolla
    (Cu,Al)
     
    2
    		H
     
    2
    		Si
     
    2
    		O
     
    5
    		(OH)
     
    4
    		·nH
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [MinRecord 29:164]; Mineralogical Magazine 1996 60 : 387-388]
  		•  Columbite-(Mn)
    (Mn,Fe)(Nb,Ta)
     
    2
    		O
     
    6
    Reference: [Fisher, J. 2002. Gem and rare-element pegmatites of southern California. Mineralogical Record, Volume 33, Number 5: pages 376-378, photographs.]
  		•  Cookeite
    LiAl
     
    4
    		(Si
     
    3
    		Al)O
     
    10
    		(OH)
     
    8
    Reference: [www.gemandmineral.com/stewartmine.html.]
  		•  Digenite
    Cu
     
    9
    		S
     
    5
    Reference: [www.gemandmineral.com/stewartmine.html.]
  		•  Elbaite
    [Na][(Li,Al)
     
    3
    		][Al
     
    6
    		][(OH)
     
    3
    		|OH|(BO
     
    3
    		)
     
    3
    		|Si
     
    6
    		O
     
    18
    		]
    Reference: [Fisher, J. 2002. Gem and rare-element pegmatites of southern California. Mineralogical Record, Volume 33, Number 5: pages 376-378, photographs.]
    Site Photo
    Stewart Mine (MS 6162; Stewart Lithia), Tourmaline Queen Mountain (Pala; Queen), Pala District, San Diego Co., California, USA
    © 2001, Jesse Fisher
  		•  'Feldspar Group'
    Reference: [Sheppard, J. B. 2008. History of the surface prospects and underground mining developments made along the northern portion of the Stewart pegmatite; personal communication with Scott L. Ritchie, SDMC. June/July.]
  		•  'Garnet Group'
    X
     
    3
    		Z
     
    2
    		(TO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		 (X = Ca, Fe, etc·, Z = Al, Cr, etc·, T = Si, As, V)
    Reference: [Sheppard, J. B. 2008. History of the surface prospects and underground mining developments made along the northern portion of the Stewart pegmatite; personal communication with Scott L. Ritchie, SDMC. June/July.]
  		•  Hureaulite
    (Mn,Fe)
     
    5
    		(PO
     
    3
    		OH)
     
    2
    		(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		·4H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [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: 730; Seaman, 1976. Pegmatite Minerals of the World.]
    Site Photo
    Stewart Mine (MS 6162; Stewart Lithia), Tourmaline Queen Mountain (Pala; Queen), Pala District, San Diego Co., California, USA
    © 2003 SLR
  		•  Jahnsite-(MnMnMn) (TL)
    Mn
    2+
     
    		Mn
    2+
     
    		Mn
    2+
    2
    		Fe
    3+
    2
    		(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    4
    		](OH)
     
    2
    		 · 8H
     
    2
    		O
    Type Locality: Stewart Mine (MS 6162; Stewart Lithia), Tourmaline Queen Mountain (Pala; Queen), Pala District, San Diego Co., California, USA
    Reference: [Min Mag 42 (1978), 309]
  		•  Kaolinite
    Al
     
    2
    		Si
     
    2
    		O
     
    5
    		(OH)
     
    4
    Reference: [Sheppard, J. B. 2008. History of the surface prospects and underground mining developments made along the northern portion of the Stewart pegmatite; personal communication with Scott L. Ritchie, SDMC. June/July.]
  		•  Lepidolite
    Reference: [Kunz, G. F. 1905. Gems, jeweler's materials, and ornamental stones of California. California State Mining Bureau bulletin 37: pages 55-57.]
    Site Photo
    Stewart Mine (MS 6162; Stewart Lithia), Tourmaline Queen Mountain (Pala; Queen), Pala District, San Diego Co., California, USA
    © Rob Lavinsky
  		•  Lithiophilite
    LiMn
    2+
     
    		[PO
     
    4
    		]
    Reference: [Seaman, 1976. Pegmatite Minerals of the World.]
    Site Photo
    Stewart Mine (MS 6162; Stewart Lithia), Tourmaline Queen Mountain (Pala; Queen), Pala District, San Diego Co., California, USA
    © 2004 SLR
  		•  'Manganese Oxides'
    Reference: [Fisher, J. 2002. Gem and rare-element pegmatites of southern California. Mineralogical Record, Volume 33, Number 5: pages 376-378, photographs.]
  		•  'Mica Group'
    Reference: [Sheppard, J. B. 2008. History of the surface prospects and underground mining developments made along the northern portion of the Stewart pegmatite; personal communication with Scott L. Ritchie, SDMC. June/July.]
  		•  Microcline
    K[AlSi
     
    3
    		O
     
    8
    		]
    Reference: [Blue Shepard]
  		•  Montmorillonite
    (Na,Ca)
     
    0.33
    		(Al,Mg)
     
    2
    		Si
     
    4
    		O
     
    10
    		(OH)
     
    2
    		·nH
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [www.gemandmineral.com/stewartmine.html.]
  		•  Muscovite
    KAl
     
    2
    		[(OH)
     
    2
    		|AlSi
     
    3
    		O
     
    10
    		]
    Reference: [Kunz, G. F. 1905. Gems, jeweler\'s materials, and ornamental stones of California. California State Mining Bureau bulletin 37: pages 124-125.]
  		•  Namibite
    Cu(BiO)
     
    2
    		(VO
     
    4
    		)(OH)
    Reference: [MinRecord 29:164]; Mineralogical Magazine 1996 60 : 387-388]
  		•  Orthoclase
    K[AlSi
     
    3
    		O
     
    8
    		]
    Reference: [Kunz, G. F. 1905. Gems, jeweler's materials, and ornamental stones of California. California State Mining Bureau bulletin 37: pages 124-125.]
    Site Photo
    Stewart Mine (MS 6162; Stewart Lithia), Tourmaline Queen Mountain (Pala; Queen), Pala District, San Diego Co., California, USA
    © 2006, Jesse Fisher
  		•  'Perthite'
    Reference: [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.]
  		•  Phosphosiderite
    FePO
     
    4
    		·2H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [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: 673.]
    Site Photo
    Stewart Mine (MS 6162; Stewart Lithia), Tourmaline Queen Mountain (Pala; Queen), Pala District, San Diego Co., California, USA
    © Leon Hupperichs
  		•  Pseudomalachite
    Cu
     
    5
    		[(OH)
     
    2
    		|PO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    Reference: [MinRecord 29:164]; Mineralogical Magazine 1996 60 : 387-388]
  		•  Pucherite
    BiVO
     
    4
    Reference: [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: 1051; Seaman, 1976. Pegmatite Minerals of the World.]
  		•  Purpurite
    (Mn
    3+
     
    		,Fe
    3+
     
    		)[PO
     
    4
    		]
    Reference: [Fisher, J. 2002. Gem and rare-element pegmatites of southern California. Mineralogical Record, Volume 33, Number 5: pages 376-378, photographs.]
  		•  Quartz
    SiO
     
    2
    Reference: [Kunz, G. F. 1905. Gems, jeweler's materials, and ornamental stones of California. California State Mining Bureau bulletin 37: pages 124-125.]
    Site Photo
    Stewart Mine (MS 6162; Stewart Lithia), Tourmaline Queen Mountain (Pala; Queen), Pala District, San Diego Co., California, USA
    © 2005 SLR
  		•  'Salmonsite'
    Description: Discredited = mixture of hureaulite and jahnsite [probably jahnsite-(MnMnMn)]
    Reference: [Moore, Paul B. & J. Ito (1978): I. Whiteite, a new species, and a proposed nomenclature for the jahnsite-whiteite complex series. I. New data on xanthoxenite. III. Salmonsite discredited. Min. Magazine 42: 309-323]
  		•  Schorl
    [Na][Fe
    2+
    3
    		][Al
     
    6
    		][(OH)
     
    3
    		|OH|(BO
     
    3
    		)
     
    3
    		|Si
     
    6
    		O
     
    18
    		]
    Reference: [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.]
  		•  Sicklerite (TL)
    (LiMn
    2+
     
    		,Fe
    3+
     
    		)[PO
     
    4
    		]
    Type Locality: Stewart Mine (MS 6162; Stewart Lithia), Tourmaline Queen Mountain (Pala; Queen), Pala District, San Diego Co., California, USA
    Reference: [Journal of the Washington Academy of Science (1912): 2: 145.]
    Site Photo
    Stewart Mine (MS 6162; Stewart Lithia), Tourmaline Queen Mountain (Pala; Queen), Pala District, San Diego Co., California, USA
    © 2006 SLR
  		•  Spessartine
    Mn
    2+
    3
    		Al
     
    2
    		[SiO
     
    4
    		]
     
    3
    Reference: [www.gemandmineral.com/stewartmine.html.]
  		•  Spodumene
    LiAl[Si
     
    2
    		O
     
    6
    		]
    Reference: [Kunz, G. F. 1905. Gems, jeweler's materials, and ornamental stones of California. California State Mining Bureau bulletin 37: pages 124-125.; Fisher, J. 2002. Gem and rare-element pegmatites of southern California. Mineralogical Record, Volume 33, Number 5: pages 376-378, photographs.]
  		•  Spodumene
    var: Kunzite
    Reference: [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.]
    Site Photo
    Stewart Mine (MS 6162; Stewart Lithia), Tourmaline Queen Mountain (Pala; Queen), Pala District, San Diego Co., California, USA
    © Rob Lavinsky
  		•  Stewartite (TL)
    Mn
    2+
     
    		Fe
    3+
    2
    		[OH|PO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    		 · 8H
     
    2
    		O
    Type Locality: Stewart Mine (MS 6162; Stewart Lithia), Tourmaline Queen Mountain (Pala; Queen), Pala District, San Diego Co., California, USA
    Reference: [Journal of the Washington Academy of Science (1912): 2: 143-145; 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: 730.]
  		•  Stibiotantalite
    Sb(Ta,Nb)O
     
    4
    Reference: [No reference listed]
  		•  Strengite
    FePO
     
    4
    		·2H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [Seaman, 1976. Pegmatite Minerals of the World.]
    Site Photo
    Stewart Mine (MS 6162; Stewart Lithia), Tourmaline Queen Mountain (Pala; Queen), Pala District, San Diego Co., California, USA
    © Rob Lavinsky
  		•  Tantalite-(Mn)
    MnTa
     
    2
    		O
     
    6
    Reference: [Fisher, J. 2002. Gem and rare-element pegmatites of southern California. Mineralogical Record, Volume 33, Number 5: pages 376-378, photographs.]
  		•  Tosudite
    var: Lithium Tosudite
    Reference: [Gaines et al. 1997, Dana's System of Mineralogy.]
  		•  'Tourmaline'
    AD
     
    3
    		G
     
    6
    		(BO
     
    3
    		)
     
    3
    		[T
     
    6
    		O
     
    18
    		]Y
     
    3
    		Z
    Reference: [Kunz, G. F. 1905. Gems, jeweler's materials, and ornamental stones of California. California State Mining Bureau bulletin 37: pages 55-57.]
    Site Photo
    Stewart Mine (MS 6162; Stewart Lithia), Tourmaline Queen Mountain (Pala; Queen), Pala District, San Diego Co., California, USA
    © Rob Lavinsky
  		•  'Tourmaline
    var: Indicolite'
    Reference: [Kunz, G. F. 1905. Gems, jeweler's materials, and ornamental stones of California. California State Mining Bureau bulletin 37: pages 124-125.]
  		•  'Tourmaline
    var: Rubellite'
    Reference: [Rocks & Min.: 63:21.]
    Site Photo
    Stewart Mine (MS 6162; Stewart Lithia), Tourmaline Queen Mountain (Pala; Queen), Pala District, San Diego Co., California, USA
    © Charles Creekmur
  		•  'Tourmaline
    var: Verdelite'
    Reference: [Kunz, G. F. 1905. Gems, jeweler's materials, and ornamental stones of California. California State Mining Bureau bulletin 37: pages 124-125.]
    Site Photo
    Stewart Mine (MS 6162; Stewart Lithia), Tourmaline Queen Mountain (Pala; Queen), Pala District, San Diego Co., California, USA
    © 2005 SLR
  		•  Triphylite
    LiFe
    2+
     
    		[PO
     
    4
    		]
    Reference: [Kunz, G. F. 1905. Gems, jeweler\'s materials, and ornamental stones of California. California State Mining Bureau bulletin 37: pages 124-125.]
  		•  Triplite
    (Mn
    2+
     
    		,Fe
    2+
     
    		)
     
    2
    		[(F,OH)|PO
     
    4
    		]
    Reference: [Kunz, G. F. 1905. Gems, jeweler's materials, and ornamental stones of California. California State Mining Bureau bulletin 37: pages 124-125.]
  		•  Vivianite
    Fe
    2+
    3
    		(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		·8H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [www.gemandmineral.com/stewartmine.html.]
  		•  Wardite
    NaAl
     
    3
    		[(OH)
     
    2
    		|PO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    		 · 2H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [www.gemandmineral.com/stewartmine.html.]
  		•  Zircon
    Zr[SiO
     
    4
    		]
    Reference: [www.gemandmineral.com/stewartmine.html.]


    60 entries listed. 38 valid minerals. 3 type localities (valid minerals). 1 erroneous literature entry.

    Localities in this Region:
    USA
     
    • California
      • San Diego Co.
        • Pala District
          • 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!
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