Millennium, Inc.
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SOURCE OF WORLD FAMOUS PINK TOURMALINE
Photo: Gems of the Stewart Mine - Morganite (front
left), bicolor tourmaline (front right)
and gem quality rubellite (rear). Photography by Earl Lewis. Copyright ©
Millennium Inc. All rights reserved.
Unauthorized reproduction in any form strictly prohibited. Photo courtesy Blue
Sheppard,
Millenium Inc.
In the world of treasures, few precious and desirable things can ever exceed the pink tourmaline of Pala, California. Gem quality natural pink tourmaline is five times as rare as gem diamond and more than ten times as valuable as gold in its pure form. Tourmaline is harder than quartz (Mohs 7.253), is highly refractive when cut, and produces exquisite gemstones.

26 ct Pink Tourmaline ... Facetted by Elayne Leur
Photography by and courtesy of Blue Sheppard, Millennium Inc.
Copyright © Millennium Inc. All rights reserved.
The Stewart Mine will always be one of the great classic locations for mineralogists. The Stewart produces the world's finest natural pink tourmaline, both for mineral specimens that spotlight the world's museums and. also, for gemstones that highlight the World jewelry industry, but especially for the fabulous blue-capped rubellite specimens that hallmark Pala as the very crest of the best in tourmaline over the whole planet.
Today, at Gems of Pala, mineral specimens, gemstones, jewelry, carvings, and gifts are presented in a natural country store atmosphere. Buckets of underground mine gravels are brought to Gems of Pala from three different locations within the 2.5 mile maze of tunnels. Screens, tables and an instructional 5-minute video get you started on your way to sharing that greatest of all treasures: your own shining moment of discovery as you mine your own gems and minerals from the buckets of fresh underground material. Click here for further information concerning our hours and days of business, along with a convenient map, which will guide you to a gem of an outdoor adventure: Hunting the Pala Pink Tourmaline of the Stewart Mine at Gems of Pala!
We are often asked about access to the Stewart Mine. Unfortunately, federal regulations and insurance requirements prohibit us from allowing the public access to the mine. However, we are pleased to offer this VIRTUAL mine tour to satisfy the curiosity and interest of our rockhound friends. Please join us for the virtual tour! Click here to begin.
Collecting at the Stewart | Virtual Mine Tour | History of the Stewart
Copyright © 1998 Millennium, Inc. All rights
reserved
Contact Information
Millennium Inc.
J. Blue Sheppard
P.O. Box 382
Pala, CA 92059
tel: 760.742.1356
fax: 760.742.2260
email: mmmgems@hotmail.com
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Revised: September 14, 1998.