And kunzite is less valuable than beryl and tourmaline! I started out farting around with gold. While there is still lots of gold out there, there's a lot more of other valuable gems and minerals as well. Quartz crystals are a good indicator of other valuable minerals. Anywhere quartz can grow big enough to form individual crystals is also an area that other minerals can grow and do the same.

I'll have to do a search of the Panamint area for minerals found there other than silver and gold. Usually copper travels with those two so that could also mean malachite or azurite. The key thing is knowing what to look for, veins, quartz outcroppings, pegmatites, etc.

A lot of the same techniques apply to gem collecting, the more material you move the better your chances. Forget the tiny stuff because it's too difficult to get rid of and/or use.

We should go collecting beryl and amazonite near Lone Pine some day. Involves some minor mountain/rock climbing, but so worth it when you find something. Haystack mountain if you of know it.