The White Queen Mine, located on Hiriart Mountain in the Pala Mining District of San Diego County, California, was developed in the early 20th century when road construction on the claim exposed lepidolite, leading to an open pit that produced quartz and other pegmatite minerals. In the 1950s, geologist Frederick Sickler discovered kunzite there and sent specimens to gemologist George F. Kunz—resulting in the gem’s naming—and by the 1960s the mine became noted for large morganite crystals, including a 178-carat gem purchased by the Smithsonian Institution in 1973. Operations continued until 1992, when the mine was closed and transferred to the Pala Indian Reservation; today, collectors reminisce about the fine kunzite, morganite, and occasional gem tourmaline—found in its historic workings.

This specimen features two large morganite crystals (to approx 7cm wide) on a matrix of fine cleavelandite. It is a lovely example from this rare and closed locality.