The Oceanview Mine, in the Pala Mining District near Pala, California, exploits spodumene-bearing pegmatites on Chief Mountain and is renowned for producing some of the deepest purple kunzite crystals in the United States. The mine’s Big Kahuna and Big Kahuna II zones, first opened in the 2000s, yielded spectacular kunzites—often gem-quality violet bladed crystals. Today, Oceanview kunzites remain highly sought after by collectors for their intense color, exceptional clarity, and well-terminated prismatic habits, with notable finds including the 2.2 kg “Big Kahuna” crystal, one of the largest ever recovered from a U.S. source. This is a unique specimen of Triphane, the yellow variety of Spodumene. It has an excellent termination, nice transparency, and an unusual yellow hue.



