The mining outpost was not much more than a shack surrounded by piles of rocks, including blue-green, opaque smithsonite and rusty-orange feldspar.Ĭarolyn and I joined a group of about a dozen prospective prospectors waiting for directions in the 103-degree shade. Visits to the actual Stewart Mine are not allowed, but for $15 gem hounds can reserve a bucket of “tailings” from the mine, then pan for tourmaline and other gems. After about 50 miles, we took California 76 east. We headed down Interstate 15 on a sweltering Saturday morning in late May.
Carolyn and I just wanted to find enough tourmaline to make pendants for two necklaces or maybe a pair of earrings for each of us.
