The Big Kahuna Zone

The Big Kahuna Zone

Discovered in the spring of 2010, the Big Kahuna Zone produced a major find of kunzite--the largest to date in the Oceanview Mine. It also yielded some spectacular tourmalines, particularly the gem-quality bi-colored pencils pictured below. It was named after mine owner Jeff Swanger's father, nicknamed the Big Kahuna.

A selection of bicolored elbaite tourmaline. Big Kahuna zone, Oceanview Mine, Pala District, San Diego County, California, USA. Mark Mauthner photo.

Spodumene (kunzite); pink 6.5 cm long. The left specimen has been subjected to sunlight for several weeks; the right specimen is as it was collected. Big Kahuna zone, Oceanview Mine, Pala District, San Diego County, California, USA. Mark Mauthner photo.

The largest tourmaline (schorl-elbaite) found in the zone; a small doubly terminated quartz is attached to the side; 17.5 cm tall. Big Kahuna zone, Oceanview Mine, Pala District, San Diego County, California, USA. George Elling collection via The Arkenstone; Jeff Scovil photo.

Elbaite; 2.9 cm tall. Big Kahuna zone, Oceanview Mine, Pala District, San Diego County, California, USA. Private collection; Mark Mauthner photo.

One of many beautiful morganites to be taken from the Oceanview mine. This one found it's way into a world class collection. Beryl (bicolor: aquamarine-morganite); specimen 12 cm long (upper xl 4 cm across). Big Kahuna zone, Oceanview Mine, Pala District, San Diego Co., CA, USA. Oceanview Mines, LLC. specimen; Mark Mauthner photo.

Elbaite; 3.8 cm long (L), 5.3 (C), 2.3 (R) cm tall. Big Kahuna zone, Oceanview Mine, Pala District, San Diego County, California, USA. Peter Renwick collection; Mark Mauthner photo.

Spodumene (kunzite) with tourmaline inclusion; 6.8 cm tall. Big Kahuna Pocket, Oceanview Mine, Pala District, San Diego Co., California, USA. Private collection. Mark Mauthner photo.

Miner Daron Fisler holds a very large gem-quality kunzite, just removed from the pocket in the Big Kahuna zone. Mark Mauthner photo.