 | " Two, gemmy, lustrous and pristine blue benitoite crystals to 9 mm nicely set on matrix from the famous and now-closed Dallas Gem Mine of California. Prices will continue to escalate, with the closing of the mine and no further supplies. Benitoite is a somewhat obscure, but wonderful gemstone mineral that was only discovered at the beginning of this century. It has a sapphire blue color and was first thought to be a variety of sapphire. But x-ray studies showed that the crystal structure was unlike any mineral previously discovered. It is one of only a few minerals to crystallize in the bar 6 m 2 class called the ditrigonal-dipyramidal symmetry class. While this class is techically hexagonal, it produces trigonal (triangular) looking crystals. Additionally benitoite is also a fluorescent mineral. Nearly all specimens of benitoite will fluoresce a beautiful pale blue color under UV light.
" Location: Dallas Gem Mine, San Benito Co., California
Size: 2.9 x 1.9 x 1.8 cm.
Weight: 1.0 lbs.
Quantity Available: 1 Price:
$250.00 |