Spodumene

specimen number:
2354303

location:
Oceanview Mine, Elizabeth R. Mine, Chief Mountain, Pala, San Diego Co., California, USA

description:

A loose gemmy colorless to slightly pinkish terminated crystal of spodumene. In great condition all around with no points of attachment. The crystal weighs 24.74 g.

Located in the Pala Mining District of San Diego County, California, Chief Mountain hosts famous granitic pegmatite deposits, including the renowned Oceanview and Elizabeth R. mines, which formed during the Late Cretaceous period around 100 million years ago. These pegmatites are coarse-grained igneous rocks created as residual, lithium-rich hydrothermal fluids cooled slowly under high pressure, producing large cavities or pockets lined with gem-grade minerals. Active commercial and fee-based specimen mining on Chief Mountain has yielded world-class tourmaline, beryl, and notably spodumene, particularly in its desirable pink-to-violet gem variety known as kunzite. Spodumene crystals at these locations formed late in the pegmatite crystallization process within late-stage pockets, often producing elongated, tabular crystals with distinctive vertical striations that remain highly prized by mineral collectors and gem cutters worldwide.

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