Scott L. Ritchie's Photo Gallery
UU5-JHDMicrocline K(AlSi3O8) , Tourmaline A(D3)G6(Si6O18)(BO3)3X3Z , Lepidolite
Dimensions: 87 mm x 71 mm x 51 mm
A natural etched microcline crystal with minor colored tourmaline and lepidolite; from the Tourmaline King mine, Pala, San Diego County, California. Specimen measures 87x71x51mm, and weighs 236.0 grams. Recovered in the old upper workings dumps by the San Diego Mining Company, Summer 2012. Digital photographs courtesy of Erik M. Cordova.
Southern side of the ridge
The south facing ridge and workings of the Carmelita mine, Chihuahua Valley, San Diego County, California. View is towards the north. Digital photograph taken January 7th, 2004.
Southern end of the ledge circa 1904
An early picture by H. C. Gordon showing the Esmeralda mine as viewed from the southern end of the pegmatite ledge, looking towards the northwest. Circa 1904 photograph from the collection of Bill Larson. Image courtesy Pala International, Fallbrook, Cal.
Mine workings in 1962
Photographs from the scrapbook of John Sinkankas showing the Esmeralda mine workings in April of 1962. From the collection of Bill Larson. Image courtesy Pala International, Fallbrook, Cal.
Gem Pocket in 1956 by Sinkankas
A sketch by John Sinkankas showing the location and character of a large pocket discovered at the Esmeralda Mine, North Main Workings, September 22nd–23rd, 1956. From the collection of Bill Larson. Image courtesy Pala International, Fallbrook, Cal.
Mine topography in 1956 by Sinkankas
John Sinkankas’s macro sketch of the Esmeralda Mine workings and topography, March 11th, 1956. From the collection of Bill Larson. Image courtesy Pala International, Fallbrook, Cal.
Mine workings in 1956 by Sinkankas
John Sinkankas’s detailed sketch of the Esmeralda Mine layout, March 11th, 1956. From the collection of Bill Larson. Image courtesy Pala International, Fallbrook, Cal.
Engine house circa 1974
An eastern view of the Engine house built by Frank B. Schuyler around 1905. The wood frame building measured 18 x 16 feet, and was covered with corrugated iron. The west part of the house was used as a mess room, and the east part was used for the engine and air compressor, and as a store room. Circa June 29th, 1974 photograph courtesy of James L. Bowersox.
Drilling the center mound
Using an Atlas Copco Cobra Combi drill/breaker at the Center Mound exploratory cut in combination with wedges and feathers to split and break apart the hardrock pegmatite in order to expose pockets containing blue tourmaline and pink beryl crystals. Digital photograph taken April 24th, 2012.
The Cahuillas
A northeasterly view of the Cahuilla mountains, the most prominent mountaintop being Cahuilla mountain proper, with Little Cahuilla mountain on the far left. Digital photograph taken April 27th, 2012.