7:30 PM
IN-PERSON
Gem Pegmatites of Southern California
Presented by Walt Lombardo
We are delighted to have Walt Lombardo return to present Gem Pegmatites of Southern California at our monthly meeting on Monday, June 9th at 7:30 PM in the Multipurpose Room at the Veterans Memorial Complex, 4117 Overland Ave, Culver City 90230.
Southern California is known worldwide for the production of gemstones & mineral specimens from the granite pegmatites in San Diego, Riverside & San Bernardino Counties. Some of the more well-known gem minerals are Tourmaline, Garnet, Aquamarine, Morganite, Kunzite, Quartz, Topaz & Lepidolite. Most notable are the Pala & Mesa Grande mining districts that supplied beautiful tourmalines to the last Dowager Empress of China in the early 1900s and continue to produce world-class gems and mineral specimens today. This talk will include a discussion of the regional geology that made these deposits possible, the history of mining in Southern California, some of the more important mines, and the gem minerals that they produced.
Walt Lombardo is a geologist with over 35 years experience related to mining and mineral exploration. For 16 years, he managed the Las Vegas Office for the Nevada Division of Minerals. He has also worked for Desert Research Institute (part of the University of Nevada system) and served as a consultant for several mining and exploration companies. Before retiring from mining he most recently managed the North American exploration program for a Canadian junior mining company with projects in uranium, and gallium and germanium in coal fly ash. Walt has lectured nationwide on topics relating to geology, mineralogy, gemology, mineral resources and mining fraud.
The Veteran’s Memorial Multi-Purpose Room is in the back of the Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium Building. When entering the parking lot from Culver Blvd. (closest to Overland Blvd.), walk to the right when facing the building. Around the corner is a sign leading to the Multi-Purpose Room, where our meetings are held.
