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Lot 8170
Benitoite and Neptunite on Natrolite
4 December 2005, 11:00 PST
Los AngelesUS$6,500 - US$8,500
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Benitoite Gem Mine,
San Benito Co., California
The benitoite mine in San Benito County has produced this gemstone sporadically since the early 1900s. It was eventually named the state gem of California. Mining operations for gem rough there have removed nearly the entire deposit, with little prospects of specimen-quality benitoite coming out of the ground in the future. This present, rare specimen of benitoite is an older one, probably mined prior to 1980. It exhibits close to a dozen or so large blue crystals, many of which have a well-defined triangular form. Its aethetics are elevated by the several large dark lustrous neptunite crystals which appear against a matrix of virgin white natrolite. Offered on a custom-fitted acrylic base. Measuring 5 x 3 x 2in.
San Benito Co., California
The benitoite mine in San Benito County has produced this gemstone sporadically since the early 1900s. It was eventually named the state gem of California. Mining operations for gem rough there have removed nearly the entire deposit, with little prospects of specimen-quality benitoite coming out of the ground in the future. This present, rare specimen of benitoite is an older one, probably mined prior to 1980. It exhibits close to a dozen or so large blue crystals, many of which have a well-defined triangular form. Its aethetics are elevated by the several large dark lustrous neptunite crystals which appear against a matrix of virgin white natrolite. Offered on a custom-fitted acrylic base. Measuring 5 x 3 x 2in.

