Has anyone been to the tourmaline mines?

[VRBeauty]

The May issue of Lapidary Journal lists two California tourmaline mines that will allow you to "dig" for a day, for a small fee: the Himalaya Tourmaline Mine (through high desert gems and minerals) and the Oceanview Gem Mine.

I''m pretty much in love with tourmalines of all colors, so I''d love to go on one of these "digs" to see where they come from (and maybe even go home with a crystal or two.) I''d also want to take along a young nephew if possible. He''s also fascinated with rocks and gems -- I think it''s in our gene pool -- and I''d like to nourture that!

If anyone out there has been to one of these sites, could you please post and share your experiences?

Thanks!

 

[VRBeauty]

Hmm.... overwhelming response!

As an alternative, can anyone point me to a good rockhound forum where I might find someone who knows something about the mine sites?

Thanks!

 

[diamondfan]

never been, but I love them. there is one called watermelon that looks like a slice of watermelon with the dark greens and the reds...I also love pink tourmaline...it is so pricey now. I have some really fun stuff made with tourmalines, earrings and stuff. I would love to go to one of those mines! Sounds like fun.

 

[movie zombie]

no, i haven''t been but i do own a spessartite specimen from ramona, california and another california amythest specimen.

this is not a list of mines but these people carry lots of gems from california: https://www170.ssldomain.com/outofourmines/showroom/intro.cfm


check out the tourmalines! in case you don''t make it to the mines, you can start a collection anyway.

btw, i read sometime back that california pink tourmaline was greatly priced in the Orient.

also, at one time i did a search re california gems and mines and there are websites that might offer you what you are looking for so i''d encourage you to continue your search.

movie zombie

 

[The Joker]

I haven''t been to any of the sites in California, but there are lots of Fee Mining sites through-out the USA.
There are also many books that list the locations and equipment that can be used. One good book is "Fee Mining and Rock Hunting Adventures" by James and Jeannette Monaco.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1889786187/qid=1145880944/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-9842309-7028729?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

Hope this helps...

Joker....