The Pala Chief Mine

Left: Ron holding a small morganite found on the Pala Chief dumps. Note Tourmaline Queen Mountain behind him, and the scar of the Tourmaline Queen Mine.

Ron leads Pala Chief Digs several times a year and also frequently brings groups to the Oceanview fee digs.

Ron's education is as a geologist. He received his Masters of Science in geology/paleontology from the University of California-Los Angeles. Currently he works as a scientific consultant for the Getty Conservation Institute.

Ron is a renaissance man--musician, artist, scientist. Recently he's been featured in a video that will be shown on Japanese TV.

Right: Ron digging in the Pala Chief dumps. Note the San Luis Rey Valley and the Stewart Mine in the background.

You can learn more about Ron at his personal website: http://www.schmidtling.com.