Elbaite

specimen number:
2072274

location:
Himalaya Mine, San Diego Co., California, USA

description:
A gemmy faceted elbaite.

The Himalaya Mine, located in the Mesa Grande District of San Diego County, California, is one of the most prolific sources of gem-quality elbaite tourmaline in North America. Geologically, the deposit is a lithium-rich pegmatite dike within the Peninsular Ranges Batholith, characterized by a complex internal zoning that produced extensive hydrothermal pockets. These pockets are famous for yielding slender, prismatic elbaite crystals, often exhibiting a distinctive bi-color or tri-color zoning, most notably the "watermelon" variety with green rims and pink cores. Historically, the mine was discovered in 1898 and saw its first major period of operation under the Himalaya Mining Company starting in 1902. This era was fueled by a massive demand for pink tourmaline from the Chinese Imperial Court, particularly during the reign of Empress Dowager Cixi. While industrial activity slowed after the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1911, the mine underwent several revivals, most significantly in the late 20th century under the direction of Pala International and later under various specimen-mining leases. Today, the Himalaya Mine remains a legendary site, periodically operated for mineral specimens and offering pay-to-dig opportunities for collectors to search through the gem-rich tailings.

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