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When They Left

Writer's picture: Angela CisnerosAngela Cisneros

When most people think of mining in California, they tend to think about the famous gold rush in Northern California, but did you know that San Diego County is home to tourmaline mines with an eerie past?


(This is a natural green and pink tourmaline referred to as a watermelon tourmaline)


Tourmalines were discovered in San Diego County in 1898 with several mines in operation.  At that time, the dowager empress of China, Tz’u Hsi, loved the pink and reddish pink of tourmalines. She had a group of miners from China working there to send them back to China. Between 1902-1910, it is said that over 120 tons of tourmalines were sent to her court.  Since she loved it, it became high demand for the rest of her court. 


When the dowager empress passed away in 1908, the Chinese miners were still sending tourmaline to China in honor of her memory, but one day, they stopped. Here is where the eerie part of this story comes in, as told to me by someone in the industry. The Chinese miners disappeared from one day to the next with no indication of prior plans to leave.  No one knew they were leaving, and there were lots of miners in those days who would and seen or heard something. The mine shaft that they had been working in was closed off, like they had never been there.  About 70 years later when that particular shaft was accidentally found and reopened, there were relics of the past just sitting there. Teapots, bamboo mats, lunch pails, almost as if they had just finished lunch and disappeared into thin air. According to my source, no one really knows why the miners left or where they went afterwards.


Interestingly, there was a mine cart full of green tourmalines! The miners were only interested in the pink tourmalines and set aside the green ones. That particular spot opened up for green tourmalines. 


I would love to help you with your jewelry!  Angela Cisneros Jewelry Concierge brings back the joy and confidence of jewelry shopping so that you can celebrate with ease! My by-appointment approach means:

  • One-on-one appointments (personal attention and no crowds!)

  • Discretion and privacy (surprises remain surprises!)

  • Expert help from a Graduate Gemologist with 27 years of experience (yep, that’s me!)

Learn more about me and my process: www.AngelaCisneros.com 

Book your FREE appointment with me today! www.AngelaCisneros.com/book-appointment 

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