The
quartz gem stones mentioned above, as well as the crystal and smoky
varieties, are found with rutile and other interesting minerals in the
continuation of the monazite belt in North Carolina.
GEM MINERALS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.
The
following notes on the gem-mining industry of San Diego and Riverside
counties in southern California have been furnished by Mr. Fred M.
Sickler, of Pala, San Diego County, Cal.:
SAN DIEGO COUNTY.
The
principal gem minerals mined are tourmaline of many colors, pink and
lilac colored spodumene, aquamarine and pink beryl, topaz, essonite,
epidote, and axinite. These minerals are found in pegmatite veins
cutting diorite and gabbro. The latter rocks are inclosed in large
areas of granite. The gem-bearing region is bounded on the east and
west by sedimentary and eruptive rocks (largely basalt). The
sedimentary rocks contain limestone, near the contact of which with the
intrusive rocks essonite garnets are found. The gem belt probably
nowhere exceeds 40 miles in width, measured in an east-west direction,
and extends from the San Jacinto Mountains in Riverside County
southward through San Diego County into lower California. The region
has been the seat of considerable activity, both in the development of
old mines and in the discovery of new prospects, during the year 1906.
PALA.
At
Pala work on the tourmaline King mine was pushed energetically for a
part of the year, and tourmaline of great beauty and large size was
obtained along with some beryl and "water sapphire." On account of
litigation with a neighboring claim, however, the work was stopped
about the middle of the year. Work on the tourmaline Queen mine was
continued, stones of a variety of colors and of unsurpassed quality
being produced. Messrs. Gordon and Goodwin have sunk about 50 feet on a
new prospect and report the finding of beryl and kunzite. Messrs.
Lobaugh & Co. sank an incline shaft to a considerable depth on an
extension of the Stewart ledge. Lepidolite, large quartz crystals, and
other evidence of a good gem formation were encountered, but no
information was given conc'erning the production. The Pala Chief mine
was active during the year and produced a large quantity of kunzite and
tourmaline. Messrs. Magee & Co. did a large amount of tunneling on
their new property and obtained considerable aquamarine beryl and
indicolite. Mr. Ben Hubert reported a good find of gems on a new claim.
Messrs. Hiriart and Teilitch mined a quantity of pink kunzite and beryl
from their claims. The Caterina mine, which they own in partnership
with Mr. M. M. Sickler, has proved to be the equal of any kunzite mine
in southern California. They found a very large pocket of gems and have
traced the mineralized portion of the ledge several hundred feet beyond
its former supposed limit. The Sickler Gem Mining Company produced
considerable kunzite, as well as excellent tourmaline and some beryl.
The green tourmaline from its properties more nearly rivals the emerald
in color than that from any other locality in the State.
RINCON.
At Rincon the Victor Gem Mining Company has been exploiting a new field.
In one deposit beryl of fine aquamarine color was obtained in large
quantity. In another deposit good kunzite was found for the first time
in this district, along with beryl and tourmaline. Some of the
tourmaline from this locality has a green core and shell, with a
yellowish ring between and has been cut so as to show the combination
of colors with pleasing effect.
MESA GRANDE.
The
Himalaya Mining Company has directed its energies mainly to deep
mining, which involved a large amount of dead work. It is thought,
however, that even if the production was small there was a sufficiently
large stock on hand from the preceding year to meet requirements, since
the mine has been unequaled in the production of tourmaline. The San
Diego Tourmaline Mining Company has completed hundreds of feet of
tunnels and is in a position to make a large production. The company
reports a large sale of gems in Germany at good prices. The Native Gem
Mining Company produced principally pink and aquamarine beryl, with
tourmaline
