The
Collector is an unusual shop showcasing fine jewelry, mineral specimens
and objets d’art. Its story is a fascinating one.
 In
1968, gem and mineral connoisseur, William Larson, formed what later
became Pala International and purchased three San Diego County gem
mines: the Stewart Lithia, Tourmaline Queen, and Pala Chief. Located
in the foothills of northern San Diego County, these mines are part
of a local mining history dating back to the 1800s.
 |
| The
Collector in Fallbrook, California is an Aladdin’s
cave of treasures. |
|
The
most important gem mined here is tourmaline. Gemstone production
during the early 1900s exceeded two million dollars, with American,
European and Oriental gem houses actively involved, including Tiffany’s,
who had part-time buyers in the Pala and Mesa Grande mining districts.
Chinese were particularly fond of tourmaline, and large quantities
were shipped to China for use in carvings and on mandarin clothing.
 |
| In
addition to fine jewelry and mineral specimens, the Collector
features beautiful and unusual gift items from around
the world. |
|
With
the emergence of Pala International in the late 1960s, organized
mining was again on the upswing. Although the Stewart Lithia produced
small pockets of tourmaline, it was not until 1972, with a strike
at the Tourmaline Queen, that the true potential was revealed.
In what was one of the finds of the century, large gemmy tourmaline
crystals were unearthed. The “Candelabra,” an exceptional
piece from that strike, is now on exhibit at the Smithsonian Institute
in Washington, DC.
 |
| One
of the most interesting features of the Collector in
Fallbrook is the recreation of a mine tunnel, complete
with pegmatite (white band). |
|
 |
A
reassembled gem pocket can be found in the mine tunnel,
featuring tourmaline crystals growing in conjunction
with quartz. |
|
Further reading:
|
