Benitoite
Benitoite Gem Mine
San Benito County, California
2.4 cm x 2.0 cm x 1.7 cm
Here is a really nice large thumbnail size specimen of Benitoite crystals.
These crystals formed in a very tight vein, which caused them to become slightly included with the surrounding matrix.
It is a wonder that they were able to fully take on the shape of benitoite.
There are two crystals present, along with some bluish green schist matrix and snowy white natrolite.
The largest and main focal crystal is nearly fully formed and measures approx. 2.0 cm.
The crystals have faces that are both matte and lusterous.
The smaller from crystal has a hidden back side behind the natrolite that is gemmy.
They fluoresce the whitish blue color under shortwave uv lighting,
and the lighter areas, red under longwave uv.
Even with some matrix inclusion, this is a very good specimen.
