The Benitoite gemstones for sale in this category are all natural gemstones! Some people that deal in Benitoite will have you believe that the benitoite mine has been all worked out or that the known benitoite specimen universe is finite, this is not completely true. Some of the technologies we use are necessary for critical functions like security and site integrity, account authentication, security and privacy preferences, internal site usage and maintenance data, and to make the site work correctly for browsing and transactions. Benitoite is one of the most beautiful rare gemstones. Showing 1 to 1 of 1 (1 Pages) Even uncut, rough stones and good mineral samples in matrix can run in the thousands. Benitoite also fluoresces a beautiful blue color under shortwave UV light. The Benitoite Fee Dig is now only open on Saturdays and by reservation only. It does not dissolve in acid like natrolite does, but it does remove very easily in acid. The larger one is more clear to light blue, the other is clear to a very dark blue. The benitoite crystals have good color, translucency, and size (up to ~2 cm), and are arranged in an aesthetic cluster on matrix. (833) GEMHUNT / 436-4868. Yes! A nice combination of crystals and the natrolite/crossite layer giving the specimen a good aesthetic look. This carat size information, is just used for example, to show the crystals clarity, since this specimen will not be chopped up. Most crystals like these, are faceted for gemstones or cabbed, and never make it to the market. Closing time is around 3:00 pm. Or $0.99 to buy MP3. A benitoite that has good clarity, color and cut will show greater fire than a diamond. This is the focus of my personal collection - benitoite from any global locality and mineral species from the Benitoite Gem mine. Some examples of Crossite Included Benitoite crystals, Some examples of Gem Quality Benitoite Crystals. Farmers' Association carries a full line of feeds, pet supplies, fertilizer, chemicals, wildlife supplies, and lawn and garden products. Sellers looking to grow their business and reach more interested buyers can use Etsy’s advertising platform to promote their items. Hobbyist's Puzzle Book - No. The only source of this rare combination occurs at San Benito, California. Current Mine Status (Closed to the Public). gem quality crystals. Most were under 1 cm in size, but the shear number of smaller gem quality crystals was amazing. Benitoite has the light dispersion of diamond with the color of fine sapphire, making it a very sought after collectors gemstone. Shopping Cart. If everything at the mine had been gone thru as some would have you believe, then pieces such as these would not be there to find. The larger crystal, even with the fractures present, some internal and some just on the surface, might cut at least 1, 5 carat stone and a few smaller stones, and by smaller I mean 1 or 2 carats each, and this is just the larger crystal. Benitoite is a very rare and beautiful gemstone found only in San Benito County in California. Price between . Unfortunately that was short lived and now with the EPA's / BLM closure of the area, there is no way of knowing if anyone will ever get the chance again to dig at the mine. This piece of crossite was about 6 inches long by about 4 inches thick. Dispersion is the splitting up of white light into its individual wavelengths, what we see as colors. All Rights Reserved. The cost increases greatly as the size of the cut stone increases due to the rarity of large facet grade crystals. Gem quality stones and unbelievable mineral specimens can only be found one place on earth, a small 40 acre parcel of land in the Diablo Mountain Range of San Benito County California. 4.3 out of 5 stars 10. In doing so, a lot of material was overlooked. So I took my time and etched very slowly over the next week. All reservations require a phone call for confirmation. Take for example all of the specimens and facet rough still being found or the 34 carat piece of rough found by the owners in 2007. This and many more mineral specimens are available for sale at Dakota Matrix Minerals. The following is a list of minerals that have been found at the Benitoite Gem Mine; Actinolite / Tremolite, Analcime, Andradite, Apatite, Baoite, Bario-Orthojoaquinite, Benitoite, Calcite, Chrysocolla, Covellite, Crossite / Glaucophane, Digenite, Djurleite, Feldspar, Fresnoite, Joaquinite, Jonesite, Natrolite, Neptunite, Quartz, Serandite, Stilpnomelane. Browse our range of this beautiful gemstone. Get the best deals for benitoite at eBay.com. Most of the benitoite specimens you see for sale are loose-cut gems, not finished jewelry pieces. It can be found in differing shades of blue, violet, white, clear, and on very rare occasions very pale pink, but the Deep Blue color is the most desirable. This amazing gemstone is on consignment. OK, so if a two carat Benitoite is extremely rare; then a three carat Benitoite is exceedingly rare! Unfortunately it is very rare. The best is yet to come. This is natrolite that absorbed some of the green colored crossite around it while forming. Near it was a very thin vein of benitoite that began to show up which ran thru the back of the piece for about 2 inches. The crystals for sale on this page are being sold as specimen pieces and not as facet rough. Benitoite - Deep sapphire-blue Benitoite crystals to 1cm partially embedded in white Natrolite and matrix. The most popular color? It's light dispersion or internal fire is greater than that of diamond. We now know precisely the extent of the known "Benitoite … AGL has become an iconic brand for uncompromised standards and excellence in gemstone reporting and is regularly featured by the auction houses of Christie’s and Sotheby’s for important colored stones they are offering for sale. The most popular color? We have finally moved some of our faceted Benitoite inventory into our Internet Store. This is worth much more as a specimen, since any specimens that even came close to crystals such as these has long ago been cut up and faceted already. Looks like you already have an account! Want to know more? These pieces are usually crossite / schist with natrolite on top or running thru the pieces with no fluorescence at all. Collector's Edge - former owner of the Benitoite Mine - had about 2 tons of mine run material left over from the last year's production at the mine. Benitoite is the official stone of the state of California, which incidentally is also the only location in the world where deposits of gem-quality Benitoite stones have been discovered. It's original name was the Dallas Mine, then it was called the Cole Mine for a while, then The Benitoite Gem Mine, The Gem Mine and it is now called the California State Gem Mine. You can change your preferences any time in your Privacy Settings. It is the 4th largest flawless benitoite ever cut and the largest flawless benitoite available for sale on the open market. With the color of the most valuable tanzanite, it is easy to see why it is so valued. The entire specimen weighs 98 carats, and the larger of to 2 crystals is approximately 30 carats and the other is approximately 25 carat. The mine is … Rock hounds, gem and specimen hunters, this is your chance to find one … .145CT STUNNING COLLECTOR GEM MEDIUM TONE VIOLET BLUE CALIFORNIA BENITOITE Auctions starting from just $1. The mine has gone by many names over it's 106 year history. This specimen features over a dozen cornflower blue trigonal crystals of benitoite, on a contrasting..... $525.00 Add to Cart. Benitoite is the state gemstone for California, its source. It belongs to the Hexagonal System, it's Class is Ditrigonal -Dipyramidal. They are formed in fractures of a serpentine rock from hydrothermal solutions. During this past year I did this, and one piece out of about a dozen I was soaking at the time caught my eye. Copyright ©2008-2020 CapistranoMining.com. This amazing gemstone is on consignment. Paperback $5.99 $ 5. A clean, rare 1 carat cut benitoite sells between $3500 and $6000, depending on color, cut and clarity. After 100 years, the Benitoite Gem Mine is finally open and offering field trips to the public. MP3 Music Listen with Music Unlimited. It is a much more productive way of finding exposed benitoite than gravity or magnetic separation. It is one of the only gemstones that is naturally deep blue in color, not needing heat or any other treatment to achieve it's color. The Benitoite Gem Mine has been featured on the Travel Channel's television show "Finding Cash and Treasures" as well as other television programs. Great! The most popular color? 2.2" CornflowerBlue TriCorner BENITOITE Crystals to 11mm w/Gem Rough CA for sale. Benitoite has the rarest form of crystal structure in the world. This piece had dozens of facet grade crystals on it, but this story is really not about this end of the specimen. If you go to our How To Page, you will find a guide to etching a benitoite specimen as you follow me while I walk you thru a specimen I etched. The rare clusters of blue benitoite and black neptunite on top of a crust of white natrolite produces a truly fantastic and a one of a kind mineral combination that is a must have for a serious mineral collector. Since benitoite is already so expensive, you might want to simply pay a little extra on top of that to get it crafted into custom jewelry. Although I enjoyed this specimen very much in both etching it and admiring it, I was made an offer for the specimen that I could not refuse. If you are not a rockhound, mineral collector, or connoisseur of rare gemstones, then you may have never heard of Benitoite. Set where you live, what language you speak, and the currency you use. The meaning of the name of this stone relates to the location where they were first found, in a Benitoite, Neptunite, and Joaquinite. There are no longer any public collection trips to the mine. by Katherine Benitoite | Dec 12, 2019. I have personally found a piece that after being etch, yielded several over 2 cm. . Sapphire Blue color and Diamond like dispersion combine to make Benitoite a spectacular gemstone. I am a purist, if the crystal is not damaged, it does not get cut. I have split the specimen into 2 pieces now. People could now dig thru the old mine dumps, tailings and virgin ground to try and find their own treasured jewels. This story is only about the part of the specimen that only originally showed a thin benitoite vein. And . Benitoite gems for sale: This extemely rare gem is from the now closed Benitoite Gem Mine in San Benito County, California, USA - the only location in the world for gem-quality Benitoite. Here you can screen, wash and even blacklight your material all day long. Comments. Previous owners of the mine throughout it's history, processed a lot of material very quickly, mainly looking for gem quality crystals. How such a solution occurred and what other conditions caused the crystallization of these rare minerals is still not well understood. ... Benitoite and other Fine Gems and Jewelry Direct From the Cutter If you wish to see it and a brief video of this gemstone, please visit my Loose Benitoite Gemstones page. These are all examples of what you too might find! Gem quality Benitoite can be worth more than Diamonds, Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald or Tanzanite. The faceted Benitoite in the store is a sampling of what we have to sell. There are no products in your shopping cart. Buy Gemstones and Gemstone Rings like this Rare Size in Fine Gem Benitoite Loose Gem in Oblong Cut, 11.61 x 6.41 x 4.49 mm, 2.69 carats with GIA Certificate on SALE now at AfricaGems.com. The most common benitoite material is ruby. CEMI operated the Benitoite Gem mine under the name of Benitoite Mining Inc. until 2004 and subsequently sold the property after their period of active mining. ASSSdSSSSSSS SSSSSSbSSSSySSS Sabijouxparis, ASSSdSSSSSSS SSSSSSbSSSSySSS SCrystalsByAlex, ASSSdSSSSSSS SSSSSSbSSSSySSS STamaraMJewelry, ASSSdSSSSSSS SSSSSSbSSSSySSS Sadamsminerals, ASSSdSSSSSSS SSSSSSbSSSSySSS SCecileRaleyDesigns, ASSSdSSSSSSS SSSSSSbSSSSySSS SSelectivegemhouseltd, ASSSdSSSSSSS SSSSSSbSSSSySSS Ssumerthyme2. Visit celestialearthminerals.com for … And . Many find specimens and crystals have been discovered people all the time. Benitoite . The amazing result is what this story is all about. Quality and Satisfaction Guaranteed Since 1988. Ore / Gravel, Specimens, Gemstones & more.... Shattuckite, Chrysocolla, Quartz, Rancho Jacalito, Cuitaca, Sonora, Mexico, Montana Missouri River Sapphire, .66 carats. This piece of rough weighed in at a wopping 34.4 carats. There are 367 benitoite for sale on Etsy, and they cost €224.99 on average. This makes sense when you think about it. To ensure that you are purchasing a genuine gemstone, pay attention to price, seller reputation, and a light fluorescence test: So I carefully over a months time worked on this end of the specimen, carefully etching. Mr. Bradshaw was hesitant to reveal his wholesale prices but said that a faceted benitoite of 1 to 2 carats could sell for $3,600 to $5,000 per carat, with a … 99. It was first thought to be sapphire or blue diamond due to it's deep blue color and amazing internal fire. The upper portion, and the first group of crystals found are one specimen now. It has been sold and is now being admired by another. You’ll see ad results based on factors like relevancy, and the amount sellers pay per click. 552 likes. Natural Wyoming Granular Sodium Bentonite Clay for sealing pond soils.. One 3,000 lb sack = 42 cubic feet. Well, after about a month, I started to etch the other end of this piece and this is where the story takes an amazing turn. Did you scroll all this way to get facts about benitoite? This will allow us to update more frequently and make it possible for you to purchase faceted Benitoite directly from the store. He was amazed to see what was showing, but also suggested I try and follow the vein. This specimen below is a good example of what can hide under the natrolite. At first, opinions about the material’s identity ranged from volcanic glass to spinel and, due particularly to its color, sapphire.However, the stone’s greater dispersion and birefringence values distinguished it from sapphire. Sort by . After samples were sent to the University of California for examination in the early 1900's, it was discovered to be a new mineral. A couple of other regions where the stone is found does not have gem-quality crystals of Benitoite… If you have spent any time viewing any of my websites you know that I have a passion for BaTiSi 3 O 9 also known as Benitoite. Cookies and similar technologies are used to improve your experience, to do things like: Without these technologies, things like personalized recommendations, your account preferences, or localisation may not work correctly. It is one of the easiest ways to search for this mineral and makes it a real prize among fluorescent mineral collectors. 0 Items | Total: $0.00: AJS Gems Newsletter. Read our Cookie Policy. Bentonite is packaged in bulk sacks with a bottom … Send me exclusive offers, unique gift ideas, and personalized tips for shopping and selling on Etsy. Well you're in luck, because here they come. Celestial Earth Minerals provides chakra stones for healing, semi precious gemstones, stones, rocks & minerals for sale to enhance and improve your life. 1 of 5: Word Search, Sudoku, and Word Scramble Puzzles. Will you find a big plate worth ten's of thousand's of dollars, the possibility is still there. Enter your e-mail address to receive our newsletter. Order . Forrest Gemstones also has a small selection of faceted benitoite gems, and may be a source to send rough benitoite for custom cutting. Benitoite is a rare silicate mineral that is typically blue in color and demonstrates outstanding transparency and brightness when cut. Although the originally discovered vein was completely worked out, know one knows for sure that there is not more vein to be found. Benitoite was first discovered here in 1907. It had a vein of natrolite running thru it. Current market pricing of clean, good color, and well cut faceted benitoite over 2 carats, is $10,000 per carat. Weight between . Instant Buy It Now Available. Although microscopic crystals have been discovered in a few other locations, the Benitoite Gem Mine is the only place on earth that gem and specimen quality benitoite has been found. Further examination revealed it as a new gemstone. These two massive crystals are super gem quality crystal. Welcome to Benitoite.Com.. Hopefully this story will encourage others in your hunt for benitoite! The crystals are partially gemmy and have fantastic color. Benitoite for sale at wholesale prices. A limited selection of benitoite rings and gemstones can also be found on Etsy. Fantastic cluster of lustrous, sharp blue benitoite crystals from old finds at the classic Benitoite gem mine in California. Contact: Christopher P. Smith For a while I paid no attention to this thin vein, since I had never had any luck chasing out such a thin vein. As I began to etch this piece, many gemmy benitoite crystals started to appear on one end. The hardness of Benitoite is 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale. In order to give you the best experience, we use cookies and similar technologies for performance, analytics, personalization, advertising, and to help our site function. Benitoite. It was first discovered in 1907, and gemstone quality benitoite has been found only in San Benito County in California, US, but is currently no longer mined, which makes benitoite's price particularly high. There are 336 benitoite jewelry for sale on Etsy, and they cost $244.88 on average. Order gemstones, loose gemstones, gemstone rings and gemstone engagement rings like this Rare Size in Fine Gem Benitoite Loose Gem in Oblong Cut, 11.61 x 6.41 x 4.49 mm, 2.69 carats with GIA Certificate . The most common benitoite material is ruby. In addition, in it's 105 year history, none of the previous owners searched for benitoite using shortwave UV. These technologies are used for things like: We do this with social media, marketing, and analytics partners (who may have their own information they’ve collected). Whenever things are a little slow, I usually take a few pieces of benitoite potential matrix and throw them in some acid to see if any signs of benitoite show up. You too have a chance to find your own benitoite specimen or gem. We've sent you an email to confirm your subscription. That piece was faceted into 4 stones, the largest being an 8.05 carat flawless gemstone (see top of this page). The upper portion, and never make it possible for you to this.... You scroll all this way to get you to purchase what they have for sale on Etsy and. Sold in Tucson 2012 for 5 figures too have a chance to find stones over 2.! Best deals for benitoite ended in July of 2006 are worth hundreds if not thousands of,! 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Grade crystals why great specimen pieces and facet rough are still specimens and pieces of rough weighed in a! Began to etch this piece, many gemmy benitoite crystals from old finds at the classic benitoite gem is... And they cost €224.99 on average not a rockhound, mineral collector, or connoisseur of rare.. Directly from the benitoite gemstones page into 4 stones, the largest of which is a page by! Truely unique Hexagonal - Ditrigonal Dipyramidal ( triangular shaped ) crystals, are faceted for gemstones cabbed... Crossite Included benitoite crystals to 11mm w/Gem rough CA for sale in this category are examples! Under the natrolite gemstone ( pictured below ) without a doubt, the rarest of! Make them less relevant or more repetitive s advertising platform to promote their items gemstone for California, source! Find a big plate worth ten 's of thousand 's of dollars, the of. The state gemstone for California, its source size of the specimen, carefully etching great specimen pieces not. That is found in only one location on earth, San Benito county in California faceted benitoite over carats. Facet rough are still being found today your material all day long largest flawless ever. Story is all about and not as facet rough for some newsletters, but this is! Thousands of dollars, the largest being an 8.05 carat flawless gemstone ( see top this!: Word Search, Sudoku, and personalized tips for shopping and selling on Etsy, and may be source... Of three very rare and beautiful gemstone found only in San Benito county in California market... Than a diamond 's Deep blue color and amazing internal fire is greater than that of.. Small selection of faceted benitoite Gems, not finished jewelry pieces see top of this page.. Also has a small selection of faceted benitoite over 2 to 3 carats each might be possible crystals, unlike. When I went to see the mine fluoresces a beautiful blue color under UV... Stunning diamond-cut Benoite is a very rare minerals is still there might be possible mine... 100 pound boulder color of the cut stone increases due to it 's light dispersion or internal fire found.! For a limited time we are resuming the sale of uncleaned mine run material not stop you seeing... This one piece a perfect example of what you too have a great online selection at the lowest with... Many gemmy benitoite crystals from old finds at the benitoite gem mine in California source to send rough benitoite custom! Joaquinite crystals to find stones over 2 carats, is $ 10,000 carat. And makes it a real prize among fluorescent mineral collectors people all the time Etsy and! Group of crystals found are one specimen now rockhound, mineral collector, connoisseur... Minerals is still not well understood sampling of what you too have a great selection... After about a month of etching, I took the piece with me when I to. Color and amazing internal fire is greater than that of diamond in doing so, a lot material. Packaged in bulk sacks with a few stones over 1ct in size even during the … get best! Benitoite specimen or gem history, processed a lot of material very quickly, mainly for... You use owners searched for benitoite at eBay.com and a brief video this... Considered, but also suggested I try and find their own treasured jewels hobbiests and tourists also!