Neptunite with Natrolite
Benitoite Gem Mine
San Benito County, California
4.68 cm x 3.32 cm x 2.3 cm
Here is an very fine miniature size specimen of Neptunite crystals on Natrolite. This is a wonderfully aesthetic specimen of this mineral.
This specimen comes from The Benitoite Gem Mine,
which was originally called the Dallas Mine and now called the California State Gem Mine, in San Benito County, California.
Although it is said that Neptunite has been found in a few other places around the world,
the Benitoite Gem Mine is the ONLY place that Neptunite crystals form like these.
The neptunite crystals look black, but in fact they are actually the darkest red color that exists, many refer to as "black cherry".
If you catch the light just right, you will see some slight red flash coming from within the crystals.
This is a beautiful specimen with very high luster on all the crystal faces, as well as sharp terminated crystals.
The deep black crystals really stand out against a blanket of snowy white Natrolite atop of a greenish blue schist.
The largest neptunite crystal measures approx. 1.5 cm. long. A few double terminated crystals are present.
This is a very nice, showy, 3D looking specimen.
