Hunting for Tourmaline Gemstones: The Gems of Pala

Gem quality pink tourmaline gemstones are five times as rare as gem diamonds and over ten times more valuable than pure gold. Hunting for these natural pink gemstones is a project the whole family can dig into. The best place for hunting for tourmaline gemstones is a small mining operation called “The Gems of Pala” located in the small community of Pala in north San Diego county. The Gems of Pala is near the Stewart Mine which is famous for its rare pink tourmaline gemstones.

The Gems of Pala, a small country store like shop, is open to the public for hunting for tourmaline gemstones. Along with a gift shop, visitors can purchase buckets of underground mine gravels to sift through in their hunt for tourmaline gemstones. Though the pink tourmaline gemstones are gorgeous, the Gems of Pala leaves a little to be desired in terms of aesthetics. Junk and rusted old cars and trailers line the driveway to the Gems of Pala. Wooden tables under a tarp provide a place for visitors to hunt for pink tourmaline gemstones.

What the Gems of Pala lacks in accommodations is made up for by the actual experience. Be sure to make reservations as space is limited and mining appointments fill up fast. In order to hunt for the tourmaline, visitors, and those on the waiting list, must watch a demonstration. If space opens up, the next person on the waiting list may participate as long as they have viewed the demonstration.

Each visitor must pay for their bucket of gravel and plan on spending about an hour and a half sifting through it. Visitors are taught how to fill their bucket from the large pile of gravel and rocks as well as how to sift through it in search of tourmaline gemstones. They are looking for pink, green, black or blue tourmaline. To be considered a tourmaline gemstone the stone must have only one of those colors and be shiny. Dull pink stones are just rocks, not pink tourmaline.

Another option for hunting for pink tourmaline gemstones is to buy a bucket to go when available. Apparently this isn’t always an option because of the semi-permanent sign that says “No buckets to go today” on one side and is blank on the other.

Finding tourmalines in the bucket is a blast even if they are small and not of gem quality. According to the handwritten sign on the wall, a 2 gram piece of gem quality tourmaline can be worth $100. An advantage to sifting onsite versus a bucket to go is the technician can give you an idea how much your found gemstone treasures are worth.

If you go, be sure to make reservations or call first to see if buckets to go are available. Be sure to bring cash as they operate on a cash only basis. They are only open Thursday through Sunday and are often closed for weeks at a time.
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