Big Horn Mine [2] (Bighorn Mine; Lapis Lazuli deposit), Stoddard Peak, San Bernardino County, California, USAi

Regional Level Types
Big Horn Mine [2] (Bighorn Mine; Lapis Lazuli deposit)	Mine
Stoddard Peak	Peak
San Bernardino County	County
California	State
USA	Country

Summary: A lapis lazuli occurrence/mine located in the SW¼ sec. 31, T2N, R7W, SBM, in the headwaters area of Cascade Canyon, on National Forest wilderness land (Cucamonga Wilderness). Owned & operated by Sam Speerstra (100%), California (1990). MRDS database stated accuracy for this location is 10 meters. The deposit is one of the only known sources for jewelry and carving grade lapis lazuli in California.

NOTE: The USGS MRDS database file refers to MRDS file #10110938 (Big-Horn Mine) as a related file. It has no apparent relationship to this locality.

Geology: Local rocks include pre-Cenozoic metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks undivided.

Workings & Production: Word of the discovery of gem-quality blue lapis lazuli in Cascade Canyon was first reported to D. B. Sterrett of the United States Geological Survey by mineral dealer R. M. Wilke of Palo Alto in 1910. A small cut along the deposit was developed by local miners who thought the blue color signified the presence of silver, but these workings were later abandoned when assays failed to show any valuable metal in the so-called ore.

On May 12th of 1979, Sam Speerstra located a lode mining claim to the deposit, naming it the Bighorn Mine. During a brief period, the mine yielded lapis of the highest quality from what was determined to be a vast deposit exposed vertically from the top of the ridge to the canyon floor below for a distance of 300 feet along strike. Speerstra employed a crew of three men to produce between 50 and 150 pounds of lapis lazuli rock per day.

Speerstra advertised the lapis lazuli produced from the Bighorn Mine for sale consisting of rough pieces with some matrix ranging in weight from 1/2 ounce to several pounds; for $20.00 per 1/2 pound, $35.00 per pound. The best or top quality material was priced at $30.00 per 1/2 pound, and $55.00 per pound respectively. Commercial mining had reportedly ceased by 1980.

Note: The area is part of the National Forest system, and has been encumbered since 1964 by the Cucamonga Wilderness, designated for the protection and management of desert bighorn sheep, which has prevented further commercial mining in the area due to the withdrawal of mineral entry under the general mining laws of the United States.

Other Databases

Link to USGS MRDS:	10110938

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References