SDL-02
Beryl var. Morganite (early 1900s)
Himalaya Mine, Mesa Grande, San Diego Co., California, USA
Small Cabinet, 6.3 x 4.4 x 4.1 cm
Ex. William (Bill) Larson
SOLD

An incredibly rare HIMALAYA MINE morganite, dating to the period of the 1930s-1950s, and significant for the size and shape. It also happens to be pretty, with rich pink-peach color that glows on the shelf. Old label from the collection of Thomas W. Warner (1915-1955 ), a partner in the short lived LA area dealership Warner and Grieger (https://mineralogicalrecord.com/biographies_labels/warnerthomas-w/). While we cannot say this came from his 8 week camp in Pala, in 1935, for 100% certainty, it sure seems likely. In March 1935, E.V. Van Amringe described Warner's collection in an article in The Mineralogist entitled "World's best tourmaline collection". This specimen came out of the CalTech collection, where it had been donated long ago, in an exchange some decades ago, and has been in the Larson collection since. Never in its life sent to a lab and cleaned, it could be improved in luster and sparkle, but we all liked the antique look of it. 159 grams. From the important and long held personal San Diego County Collection of William "Bill" Larson, longtime owner of the Himalaya Mine, discoverer of the famous Queen Mine BlueCap pocket, and numerous other San Diego mining projects over the last 60 years and more.