Benitoite with Neptunite
San Benito County, California, USA
Sapphire-blue benitoite crystals scattered with black neptunite across white natrolite.
Stewardship Records
- Locality confirmed as San Benito County, California.
- Full provenance dossier available on inquiry.
Formation
Benitoite forms in hydrothermally altered blueschist, a rock born under high pressure in a subduction zone and later invaded by mineral-rich fluids.
A rare-species Archive piece is best displayed under a vitrine with focused light, where its colour and fluorescence can be appreciated safely.
Significance
Benitoite is the official state gem of California and is, in gem quality, found in significant quantity essentially only at the Benitoite Gem Mine in San Benito County.
It typically occurs with black neptunite on a white natrolite matrix, and glows a vivid blue under shortwave ultraviolet light.
Benitoite specimens are judged on crystal size, colour saturation, and the contrast of the classic benitoite–neptunite–natrolite association.
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