The 49'er Pocket
Discovered in September 2007 on mine owner Jeff Swanger's 49th birthday, the pocket was named both for the event that day as well as the spirit of the original 49er's who came to California looking for treasure. It took months to excavate the pocket, and it yielded some of the most remarkable specimens of beryl var. morganite and var. aquamarine found to date in the Pala region, rivaling the spectacular finds from the nearby White Queen Mine, which is now permanently closed. There were also remarkable large citrine quartz crystals of gem quality.
Discovered in September 2007 on mine owner Jeff Swanger's 49th birthday, the pocket was named both for the event that day as well as the spirit of the original 49er's who came to California looking for treasure. It took months to excavate the pocket, and it yielded some of the most remarkable specimens of beryl var. morganite and var. aquamarine found to date in the Pala region, rivaling the spectacular finds from the nearby White Queen Mine, which is now permanently closed. There were also remarkable large citrine quartz crystals of gem quality.
