Reviews should never be left by people that have no idea what they are talking about, so disregard the first review for the most part that was written in 2012.
The California State Gem Mine is the only place in the world that a person can attempt to find a real treasure, Benitoite.
Gem quality Benitoite is only found one place on earth, and that is at the mine. All efforts are made to haul down good dump truck loads of material from the mine to the digs site.
Benitoite does not look anything like a blue emerald or aquamarine. Benitoite is the most beautiful blue with purple color you will ever see. It's has a higher light dispersion rate that diamond, make for one of the most amazing gemstones the world has ever seen. If you would like to see photos, just go to capistranomining.com for more information about Benitoite.
Yes, as most mine and digs, they are a long drive, about 5 hours from Los Angeles. The Benitoite fee dig was created when the BLM and EPA shut down access to the mine for the general public. Since 2009, many diggers at the fee dig, have recovered 10s of thousands of dollars worth of specimens and gem rough. The mine have been in operation since 1907 and yes, you are more than likely going through material that was either gone through or over looked before by at least one of the previous mine owners. You are going through Mine tailings which is the exact same material the current mine owners are going through, and not the discarded scraps as someone said. As was mentioned this material can be very mud encrusted. Previous mine owners could never get the material clean enough, so much was missed as they were working the tailings .This is a working mine and so the owners are always around to answer questions, but are not hovering over you and let diggers work at their own pace. People are going to believe what they want, but I have first hand knowledge of the workings of this mine and fee dig, and will put my reputation on the mine to say that this is one of the most honest fee digs out there, and I have been to many across the country. It is truly a good days adventure if you are up to the challenge and well worth the cost of digging. for more information about this fee dig, go to www.calstategemmine.com read more