San Benito County, California Around the turn of the century, a prospector discovered a blue material that he believed to be sapphire. Examination by experts determined the new gem material to be an unknown mineral. In addition, it turned out that the new material represented a previously unknown example of crystal form. It was given the name of benitoite, since it was found near the headwaters of the San Benito River in the county of the same name. Benitoite is prized for its adamantine or diamond-like luster and high dispersion. Its refractive index and dispersion are high enough to resemble colorless-to-blue diamonds. The fact that their specific gravity and hardness differs from that of diamonds and that all benitoites fluoresce blue, allows differentiation. Benitoite was declared the official state gemstone of California. Although its public recognition and consequently desirability have increased dramatically over the past few years, supplies have not kept up with demand. Its only source is a small mine in San Benito County in northern California. Most of the rough yields cut gems below one carat though larger gems do exist. Truly a gem for the collector of American minerals. the present thumbnail specimen, possesses three large crystals of benitoite on natrolite, all with particularly strong blue color and good luster, height 1 ¼ in; together with a triangular-cut benitoite of unusually large size for the species, exhibiting exceptional strength of color, high transparency and brilliance, weighing approximately 1.40 carats and measuring 8.6 x 6.4 x 4.1mm. (2)
San Benito County, California Around the turn of the century, a prospector discovered a blue material that he believed to be sapphire. Examination by experts determined the new gem material to be an unknown mineral. In addition, it turned out that the new material represented a previously unknown example of crystal form. It was given the name of benitoite, since it was found near the headwaters of the San Benito River in the county of the same name. Benitoite is prized for its adamantine or diamond-like luster and high dispersion. Its refractive index and dispersion are high enough to resemble colorless-to-blue diamonds. The fact that their specific gravity and hardness differs from that of diamonds and that all benitoites fluoresce blue, allows differentiation. Benitoite was declared the official state gemstone of California. Although its public recognition and consequently desirability have increased dramatically over the past few years, supplies have not kept up with demand. Its only source is a small mine in San Benito County in northern California. Most of the rough yields cut gems below one carat though larger gems do exist. Truly a gem for the collector of American minerals. the present thumbnail specimen, possesses three large crystals of benitoite on natrolite, all with particularly strong blue color and good luster, height 1 ¼ in; together with a triangular-cut benitoite of unusually large size for the species, exhibiting exceptional strength of color, high transparency and brilliance, weighing approximately 1.40 carats and measuring 8.6 x 6.4 x 4.1mm. (2)
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