San Diego has a history of Gem mining, going back to the first Spanish explorers. Starting in the 1800s and continuing to the present, the area would evolve into one of the premier locations in the United States, where a large variety of gemstones are mined, due to the rare and rich Pegmatite dikes present in the area. When the Indian mission was established in Pala, Indians, brought some of their highly prized crystals to the mission priest, and these crystals were sent back to Spain for evaluation. As Spanish and American settlers moved into the area, occasionally an Indian grave would be uncovered, containing tourmaline crystals. In the late 1800s and into the early 1900s, there were times of intense mining. It is reported that the Empress of Chine had some 1500 Chinese diggers working the Pala area, every scrap of pink Tourmaline found was shipped back to China. Love of the vivid Pala pink, drove her to spend fortunes on its extraction. It is said that Tiffany on hearing of the Empress and seeing some tourmaline samples, sent some representatives to see the mining operation.
Because of the rise in interest and mining activity, four new gemstones would be added to the list of material found in the San Diego area in following years. Notably, Kunzite, discovered in 1902, a rare bright pink to lavender color spodumene, becoming the first time to be identified and recorded in the world, by Dr. Kuntz, who was the Gemologist for Tiffany at the time. This, putting it in the category of a first true American gemstone discovery. Subsequently Morganite, of the beryl family, in shades of pink and apricot, would be found, and Aquamarine in blue to green shades. Also, bright orange Spessartite garnets.
In the early 60s there was another spurt of mining activity in the Pala, Ramona and Campo areas. Yielding some spectacular specimens and cutting material, which can be viewed at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. Collector stamps have been made in the past showcasing some of these extraordinary crystals. In 1963 John F Kennedy selected a Kunzite oval facet stone, surrounded by Diamonds, set in a gold ring for his wife Jacqueline. It was to celebrate their 10th Christmas together. His choice may have been, because Kunzite was a truly American stone and the color was so rare and beautiful. It would be his last gift to Jackie. Mining activity has continued since the 60s, but finds are sporadic. Great material gets harder to find. The world demand for Tourmaline from the Pala area is very high. People who have collected some of these stones from San Diego, will someday have in their possession some great American treasures.
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