Benitoite Mine & Mineral Specimens - Trinity Mineral Company

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As you may or may not know, all that I collect in the way of minerals are Benitoite and the various species that are found at the Benitoite Gem Mine. That's it. Everything else that I get my hands on ends up going out the door one way or another - including specimens from my favorite place on Earth.

A number of people have requested a look at some of the benitoite specimens in my collection. So, with the advent of the Benitoite.com website in May 2001 I have taken some pictures of a few of them for your perusal and/or enjoyment.

I have been collecting only benitoite and minerals from the Benitoite Gem Mine since 1977. These are a few of the specimens which reflect my personal selection from literally thousands of specimens viewed during this period. It has not been a pocket book friendly experience either... It is not easy to locate or inexpensive to obtain outstanding specimens from this interesting locality.

The focus of my collection is on interesting characteristics or habits. Many of the specimens I have in my collection are small (thumbnails comprise the majority) but are interesting to me by virtue of their unusual crystal habit, aesthetics and associations.

Over time I will continue to add additional specimen images as I get around to it.

May 10th, 2001
July 25th, 2001
October 15th, 2001
May 25th, 2002
April 17th, 2003
May 9, 2007
May 3, 2009
June 16, 2010
August 24, 2011 - Major specimen addition and page update.

JTV-001
Benitoite & Neptunite
Benitoite Gem Mine
San Benito County, California
From Bob Kahl - 1998

This specimen is a Thumbnail sized rock consisting of two perfect triply terminated benitoite crystals with a doubly terminated neptunite stuck between the two. This rock is my favorite of all the specimens I have.

This is a triply terminated floater. It consists of several intergrown crystals without any contact that I can find anywhere. The crystal is 1.7 cm across.

JTV-002 (trimmed into five specimens April 2009)
Benitoite & Neptunite
Benitoite Gem Mine
San Benito County, California
Self Collected 1986

Large cabinet specimen with over 50 crystals of benitoite - several triply termainted and a lustrous, doubly terminated, 4.3 cm crystal of neptunite. The largest benitoite crystal is the flat lying crystal and it is 2.7 cm across! I self collected this specimen in late December 1986.

Significant benitoite specimen with nine crystals to 2.5 cm across and 4.4 cm, doubly terminated neptunite!

1.2 cm crystal of benitoite almost triply terminated on crossite and natrolite matrix with a couple of small joaquinite crystals.

Several crystals of benitoite to 1.5 cm are associated with neptunite on crossite and natrolite matrix.

Several crystals of benitoite to 1.5 cm are associated with neptunite. One benitoite crystals has an odd, very thin undulating wafer shape.

JTV-140
Benitoite
Benitoite Gem Mine
San Benito County, California
Self Collected 2004

3.8 x 2 x 1.4 cm - This specimen has gemmy blue, tabular crystals of benitoite to 1.4 cm across. All of the crystals have excellent luster.

JTV-152
Benitoite, Neptunite, Joaquinite & Djurleite
Benitoite Gem Mine
San Benito County, California
Purchased 2003

5.1 x 3.5 x 2.6 cm - This specimen has a nice mix of all four species. The largest benitoite is 1.6 cm across. The djurleite crystals are difficult to make out in the photos as they are jet black like the neptunite crystals but they are there.

JTV-124
Benitoite & Neptunite
Benitoite Gem Mine
San Benito County, California
Self Collected 2008

5.1 x 3.5 x 2.6 cm - This specimen is a nearly solid vein of benitoite. There are abundant crystals with high luster and a few partial neptunite crystals. Good example of a solid vein.

JTV-100
Benitoite
Benitoite Gem Mine
San Benito County, California
Gift from Bryan Lees 2009

These are two tabular shaped, pale blue, color zoned gem crystals of benitoite found in the jig in 2003. The total carat weight is 5.67 cts. Both are about 1 cm across.

JTV-010
Benitoite
Benitoite Gem Mine
San Benito County, California
Purchased 2002

Miniature specimen with a dozen or so crystals with exceptional ocillatory development between c & p faces. Most crystals have a & d faces or at least one or the other. The crystals are gemmy and lustrous.

JTV-013
Benitoite & Joaquinite
Benitoite Gem Mine
San Benito County, California
Purchased 2009

JTV-143
Benitoite
Benitoite Gem Mine
San Benito County, California
Self Collected 2002

3.5 x 2.6 x 1.3 cm - The specimen has the most deeply etched crystals of benitoite I can recall seeing. There are also obvious casts of some long gone mineral as well. Despite the funky appearance this crystal has absolutely no damage!

JTV-065
Benitoite & Neptunite
Benitoite Gem Mine
San Benito County, California

This is a miniature sized specimen over all with a "thicket" of neptunite crystals and one of the most interesting benitoite crystals I have ever seen! The 0.7 cm crystal has a hoppered c face. The crystal is gemmy as seen in the picture but the c-face is inverted which is unique in my experience! I haven't ever seen a crystal like this on well over 7500 benitoite specimens I have handled or viewed.

JTV-003
Benitoite, Neptunite & Joaquinite
Benitoite Gem Mine
San Benito County, California

This is a miniature sized specimen with several lustrous crystals of neptunite to 2.5 cm in length and several crystals of benitoite including the small 0.5 cm crystal with the joaquinite crystals and the killer 1 cm pure gem crystal perched on a neptunite crystal.

This is a small cabinet sized specimen of neptunite. There are well over 200 crystals of neptunite on this rock - all in perfect condition and superb luster. The largest crystal in this black forest is 1.6 cm in length.

3.5 x 2.5 x 1 cm - This is a large crystal at 2.7 cm at its widest but it is a partial rocky too. Hence it ihas irregular shape though there is only one small area of damage which was exposed before the crystal was etched. One small joaquinite perched on the side of the crystal. This crystal demonstrates how benitoite crystals developed in the matrix that they grew on - not so good.

JTV-092
Albite
Benitoite Gem Mine
San Benito County, California

8.2 x 5.7 x 2.6 - This specimen of schist is host to a druse of lustrous ablite crystals. This specimen came from the upper most portion of the mine. It was on a larger boulder that JTV093 also was chipped off of.

JTV-093
Albite
Benitoite Gem Mine
San Benito County, California

8.2 x 6 x 3.3 cm - This specimen of schist is host to a druse of lustrous ablite crystals. This specimen came from the upper most portion of the mine. It was on a larger boulder that JTV092 also was chipped off of.

JTV-091
Benitoite
Benitoite Gem Mine
San Benito County, California

10.1 x 6.2 x 3.8 - This secimen has numerous crystals of etched benitoite. The crystals are complete but look a bit ragged. Under the scope the etch features are visible. Many of the crystals are gem quality. The piece originally had nice pocket crystalline natrolite so most of the benitoite crystals were liberated during the natrolite phase.

JTV-113
Apatite
Benitoite Gem Mine
San Benito County, California

This specimen of crossite and natrolite has numerous prismatic crystals of water clear and colorless apatite to 4 mm in length. They are non-reactive under SW UV light.

Eight glassy crystals of deep blue and gemmy benitoite on crossite matrix with very rare "a" and "d" faces. The largest crystal is 1.4 cm across.

A 0.8 cm triply terminated crystal sets atop crossite and natrolite pedestal.

JTV-090
Benitoite in Albite
Benitoite Gem Mine
San Benito County, California

A 0.9 cm twinned crystal of benitoite. This specimen has two of the six lobes of a "star of David"

This is a Thumbnail sized specimen hosting a 1 cm gem crystal. We are talking blue glass here!

This specimen is a miniature with a cluster of very lustrous crystals of benitoite to 1.7 cm across. What is particular about this specimen is the very thin nature of the crystals and superb luster. Benitoite is typically dull on all but the c and a faces. The center of the crystals are included with silica pseudomorphs after serandite. A few small crystals of joaquinite round out this specimen.

JTV-134
Neptunite Twin & Benitoite
Benitoite Gem Mine
San Benito County, California

This is a cabinet sized specimen of natrolite and crossite hosting crystals of benitoite and neptunite. This is the largest legitimate twin of neptunite on 001 I have ever encountered. The twin measures 2.3 cm across and is a perfect example of twinning on (001) miller indices. The added attraction are the benitoite crystals which reach up to 1.2 cm across on this rascal.

JTV-076
Jonesite, Neptunite & Joaquinite
Benitoite Gem Mine
San Benito County, California

This is a specimen which has numerous crystals of jonesite as singles. Associated minerals include neptunite and joaquinite. The crystal pictured here is 1.5 mm which is MONSTEROUS for the species!

JTV-101
Benitoite & Neptunite
Benitoite Gem Mine
San Benito County, California

This specimen is a small miniature with several very well formed crystals of benitoite including the fine triply terminated crystal which is 1.3 cm across. The largest crystal on the specimen is 1.7 cm across.

JTV-188
Benitoite & Neptunite
Benitoite Gem Mine
San Benito County, California

This specimen is a miniature with scads of rich blue colored crystals of benitoite to 1.6 cm across. The center crystal is exceptional in its form while the crystal directly below (upper left picture) it has at least a 2+ carat gemstone! This one ain't gettin cut!

JTV-071
Benitoite & Neptunite
Benitoite Gem Mine
San Benito County, California

This is an attractive miniature with several very deep blue crystals of benitoite to 1.5 cm across amidst a bunch of lustrous crystals of neptunite.

Who says I don't collect micros!?!?! This specimen has a number of funky benitoite crystals but it also has this PERFECT 2 mm crystal partiall emerged from natrolite. When I saw this while cleaning a bunch of specimens several years ago I was smitten by the perfection and the glassy nature of this little guy so in the collection it went.

This specimen comes from the Mina Numero Uno Mine which is located about 8 km northwest of the Benitoite Mine. This location does not have much in the way of natrolite so most benitoite found there is exposed in thin veins. Only when the veins open up do you find crystals like this one. Most of the veins are very narrow resulting in benitoite that is more or less massive. This is a VERY choice crystal from this other locality. It measures 5 mm across.

JTV-162
Benitoite, Neptunite & Joaquinite
Benitoite Gem Mine
San Benito County, California

This is a large thumbnail sized specimen of gem quality benitoite with crystals of joaquinite and a single crystal of neptunite. There are large gem sections in both of these crystals the largest of which is 2 cm across at its widest point.

This small miniature specimen has several gemmy crystals of benitoite - most have fractures and on first appearance would not seem to be all that particularly special. A closer look however reveals the presence of some of the rarest crystal faces found on benitoite - those of the x faces. Louderback, in his 1909 description, indicated that he saw this face completely developed on only one specimen out of over five hundred that he examined to describe the crystallography of benitoite.

JTV-107
Twinned Neptunite & Benitoite
Benitoite Gem Mine
San Benito County, California

5 x 4.5 x 2 cm specimen with a 1.2 cm twin of neptunite and several crystals of additional neptunite and benitoite. Some joaquinite also. This twin is another perfect example of twinning on (001) miller indices.

8.5 x 6.5 x 3.8 cm - This specimen is host to 4 crystals of neptunite to 4 cm in length! All have brilliant luster and two are doubly terminated.

10.7 x 5.5 x 2.5 cm - This specimen has two generations of benitoite. The last created some vey strange stacked crystal formations!

3.1 x 2.5 x 1.5 cm - This specimen of natrolite and crossite is host to several lustrous, deep blue crystals of benitoite. Most of the benitoite crystals have the rare d faces as seen in the photo on the right.

4.7 x 3.9 x 2.6 cm - This specimen has an enormous 4 mm sized crystal of joaquinite. One of the largest I have ever seen!

JTV-176
Benitoite & Neptunite
Benitoite Gem Mine
San Benito County, California

2.8 x 2.5 x 2.3 cm - This specimen has benitoite and neptunite crystals on crossite and there are also some benitoite crystals set on the tops of the neptunite. Quite cool looking.

6.2 x 4.4 x 3.2 cm - Specimen of natrolite with free floating benitoite crystals of exceptional dark blue color and luster - a couple of the crystals have considerable gem rough. The crystals were obviously liberated during the natrolite phase and then locked in massive natrolite. There are some extraordinary thin tabular joaquinite crystals also to 1mm across.

JTV-154
Neptunite Twin with Neptunite
Benitoite Gem Mine
San Benito County, California

6.1 x 5.6 x 3.1 cm - The specimen has a twin on 001 and other neptunite crystals. The twin is 2.1 cm across and is likely the finest known in terms of size and quality.

3.3 x 2.3 x 1 cm - This specimen has numerous crystals of djurleite to 4 mm across with one 3.5 mm benitoite and one small wire of silver about 1.5 mm in length. Only known specimen of silver from the mine. Many thanks to Bryan Lees for this incredible specimen!

JTV-012
Benitoite, Joaquinite & Neptunite - "Sushi"
Benitoite Gem Mine
San Benito County, California

3.1 x 2.4 x 1.3 cm - This incredible specimen was etched by Bill Hawes while he worked for Collector's Edge. The piece has three triply terminated crystals of benitoite to 0.8 cm across and has joaquinite and neptunite crystals also. The largest neptunite is doubly terminated. It was nicknamed the "Sushi Plate" By Bryan Lsees. One of the iconic specimens from the mine!

5.5 x 2.2 x 1.7 cm - This specimen is a stack of lustrous, nice blue colored benitoite crystals. Total eye candy!!

4.9 x 2.7 x 2.5 cm - This specimen has a 1.9 cm crystal of benitoite and a 1 cm crystal of neptunite.

JTV-021
Benitoite
Benitoite Gem Mine
San Benito County, California

2.8 x 2.2 x 2 cm - This specimen of dark green actiniolite/crossite is host to a very lustrousn 1.2 cm crystal of deep blue benitoite. There is a smaller crystal at the base of it also.

JTV-022
Benitoite & Neptunite
Benitoite Gem Mine
San Benito County, California

2.5 x 1.6 x 1 cm - This specimen consists of a benitoite set at the base of a neptunite crystal.

12.2 x 7.3 x 2.2 cm - This specimen is loaded with djurleite and joaquinite crystals. The joaquinites are large and richly colored also. One of the benitoite crystals has some gem rough.

What's New At Benitoite.Com	JV's Collection	Mine Run Offer	Benitoite Article	How to Clean Benitoite Specimens	Past Mine News 2001 Season 2002 Season 2003 Season	Mineral Auctions
How to Order	Links	Mineral Museums	Trinity Mineral Company	Mineral Books	Tsumeb	Rare Minerals