The Stewart Lithia Mine’s history begins in the early 1880s when prospectors following colorful mineral “float” from gold pans in Salmon’s Creek uncovered a substantial pegmatite on the slopes of Queen Mountain. From approximately 1882 through 1929, this pegmatite was mined primarily for its lepidolite-rich pods, which yielded lithium ore used extensively for industrial lubricants during the late Industrial Revolution. Chinese laborers uncovered pink tourmaline while mining lithium. After lying mostly dormant, Pala International began exploring in 1968, and by 1969 had broken into rich pink tourmaline pockets, launching a prolific era through the 1970s that resulted in the discovery of fine specimens and gem rough. This particular specimen features vibrant pink tourmaline crystals that make the locality famous among mineral collectors, along with finely crystallized cleavelandite and lepidolite crystals. The major tourmalines are terminated, and the specimen displays nicely in spite of a few crystals that aren't terminated.