Tabular Benitoite with Joaquinite.
Benitoite Gem Mine
San Benito County, California
7.42 cm x 7.0 cm x 4.4 cm
Here is a really unique and uncommon specimen of benitoite from this famous mine.
This specimen consists of hundreds of tabular benitoite crystals, from micros up to 1 cm.
These beautiful tabular crystals have colorless centers with blue edges.
Most are not fully formed or have interrupted growth.
It has been speculated that these tabular benitoite crystals formed at a different point in time,
from the the di-triagonal / di-pyrimidal crystals that most are familiar with.
The type of growth is very uncommon from the mine.
Throughout the specimen on the surface of the greenish blue schist matrix,
are tiny orange micro crystals of the mineral joaquinite.
The back side of the specimen is covered in tiny benitoite crystals that are not fully formed.
The bottom of the piece has been cut flat, so the specimen can stand on it's own.
A very unique, beautiful and uncommon specimen of this rare mineral.
