Black Diamond One claim

Santa Rita Peak, San Benito County, California, USA

Key Information

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The Black Diamond One claim is located west of Santa Rita Peak in central California’s Diablo Range, near the California State Gem Mine, known for rare benitoite.
It produces garnets (andradite, melanite), vesuvianite, and other minerals like calcite, formed in Franciscan blueschist and serpentinite under high pressure.
Mining occurred in 1968-1970 and 2008-2009, with no current activity reported.
The area has ties to Bay Miwok tribes and a mining heritage, with a Mediterranean climate of dry summers and wet winters.

Geographic Location

Nestled in the rugged Diablo Range of central California, the Black Diamond One claim lies just west of Santa Rita Peak, about 1.4 km from the peak and 1.7 km northwest of the famous California State Gem Mine Mindat - Black Diamond One claim. This site is in San Benito County, south of the Bay Area, near Hollister, placing it in the southwestern corner of North America. Nearby, the California State Gem Mine stands out as a notable locality, celebrated for its rare benitoite crystals.

Minerals Produced

The claim is rich in garnets, specifically andradite and its variety melanite, alongside vesuvianite and cerian vesuvianite, which are less common and add a unique allure. Other minerals include calcite, diopside, chamosite, and clinochlore, offering a diverse palette for collectors Mindat - Black Diamond One claim.

Geological Structure

Formed within Franciscan blueschist and serpentinite, the site’s minerals crystallized under high pressure, likely from tectonic forces, reflecting a metamorphic origin tied to the region’s complex geology Collectors Edge - Benitoite Gem Mine.

Mining History

Mining at Black Diamond One took place in two periods: 1968-1970 by A. McGuinness and Gene and Sharon Cisneros, and again in 2008-2009 by D. Evanich and R. Kennedy, with no recent activity noted Mindat - Black Diamond One claim.

Local Culture and Characteristics

The area echoes with the presence of Bay Miwok tribes like Chupcan, Volvon, and Ompin, whose ancient ties to the land blend with a mining heritage, particularly coal mining in nearby regions, shaping a rugged, historical identity East Bay Parks - Black Diamond Mines.

Climate and Ecology

Under a Mediterranean climate, the region experiences dry summers and wet winters, supporting oak woodlands and chaparral, with the mineral formation likely unaffected by surface conditions [Wikipedia - Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve).