As of March, 2008, three pay-for-dig tourmaline mines are available in northern San Diego county, California. Each has some unique features and offers the opportunity to learn about different aspects of the lithium pegmatites in southern California - which is the intrusive igneous rock where you find tourmaline (if you are lucky). The three mines: the Himalaya Mine in Mesa Grande, the Oceanview Mine in Pala and the Cryo-Genie Mine in Warner Springs, are all within about an hours drive of each other.

I've been to all three locations numerous times and enjoy each for various reasons. The one common denominator is that I have liked the people who run the mines and the digs at all three locations. They have been extremely knowledgeable and helpful.

I'm not going to quote prices or days of operation since these have been changing almost weekly lately. Instead, here are the three web sites:

1. Himalaya Mine - www.highdesertgemsandminerals.com
2. Oceanview Mine - www.digforgems.com
3. Cryo-Genie Mine - www.cryo-geniemine.com

I personally do not go to any of these locations expecting to walk away with a huge gemstone that is eye-clean and ready to facet. At all three, you will be allowed to sift thru tailings from the mine which have been already been screened by the claim holders - at least once or possibly several times. At the Oceanview and Cryo-Genie Mines, you will get a tour of the mine, which I strongly encourage you to go on. Seeing the pockets where the tourmaline, quartz, aquamarine and other gems form is interesting.

Ellen,
Culver City