The Tourmaline King Mine, high on the northwest slope of Queen Mountain near Pala, California, was opened in 1903 by F. B. Schuyler and quickly yielded a bonanza of gem-quality tourmaline crystals from a pegmatite running along steep slopes at around 1,600 feet elevation. The mine has seen sporadic activity into the 21st century. Though never as prolific as nearby operations, Tourmaline King remains prized among collectors for fine pink, green, and watermelon tourmaline specimens, with occasional crystals recovered from tailings and limited underground work.

This specimen would be a nice morganite from any locality; it is especially significant for being a California piece, and even more so being from the Tourmaline King Mine. Specimens of morganite from this locality in this size and quality are extremely rare. The 4cm wide morganite crystal is in great condition, and is perched nicely at the top of a mound of finely crystallized lepidolite. Some tourmaline is also present on the matrix.