Cryo-Genie Mine
Mining for Tourmaline at the Cryo-Genie Mine
The Cryo-Genie mine is currently an active tourmaline mine that will not only let you go through the tailings pile all day for only 10$. But, if you’d like to see how tourmaline is mined today for only $20 they will also take you on a tour down into the mine its self.
See some current prices on rough/uncut Tourmaline here!
Although the area of the mine was known about in the early 1900s it was never mind with truly modern techniques until the 1980s. Many large pockets of tourmaline have been discovered within the mine in the past couple of years.
Touring an Active Tourmaline Mine
Taking a tour of the mine is an amazing adventure into an underground world. If you’re very lucky they may have a new pocket that was discovered, where you can see the tourmaline and other minerals still sitting in their original matrix in the mine.
Since this is an operating tourmaline mine the tailings are constantly replenished. Although there are many wonderful minerals to be found in the tailings, due to modern mining techniques do not expect to find big chunks of tourmaline in the tailings.
Tourmaline can still be found in the tailings but it is general small and mostly clear to pink in color. The mine tour itself is well worth the visit and digging through the tailings is just an extra benefit.
Equipment Needed to Mine for Tourmaline
Here are a few things you may want to think about taking if you plan on going through the tailings at the Cryo-Genie mine. (Click on the links below to see what is available).
-Hat (the sun can be a little harsh out here)
-Sunscreen (once again the sun can be a little harsh)
-Knee Pads
-Box Screen Set (to help filter your dirt, one with ¼ inch holes may be best)
-Small hand shovel (try to get one that is easy to use while kneeling)
-Rock hammer (useful if you plan on just digging a little or a lot)
-Heavy-duty rubber gloves (for washing your material; mineralized soil is hard on your hands)
-Food and Water (no food is available at the mine)
The Cryo-Genie Mine is open year round 7 days a week. You’ll need to call to make reservations, this is just to make sure you don’t try and show up when they are blasting in the mine.
Getting to the Cryo-Genie Tourmaline Mine
To visit the mine you’ll need to fly into San Diego, CA. You’ll definitely want to get a rental car since the mine is about 40 miles from the airport. You can stay at a hotel in Julian, CA about 15 miles from the mine.
Directions to the Cryo-Genie Tourmaline Mine
To get to the Cryo-Genie Mine from Julian take Interstate 79 North thru Warner Springs. Less then a mile past Warner Springs you’ll come to Lost Valley Rd on your right hand side. Follow Lost Valley for about 2.8 miles, look for a small parking area with a porta-pottey on your right. Park here and walk up the dirt road to the mine, or if equipped with 4 wheel drive you can drive up to the mine.
Contacting the Cryo-Genie Tourmaline Mine
For information about mining at the Cryo-Genie Mine contact:
Dave or Dana
714-336-4467
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would like some one to call us so we can come down to mine. we have called many times with no reply as yet.