Benitoite from San Benito County, California

Here's an interesting specimen that will be part of our next site update.  It's an example of the rare gemstone Benitoite which is California's official state gemstone.  Not surprisingly, it comes from San Benito County in the Golden State.

This mineral can be found in several places around the world but the only gemstone-quality specimens have been found California.  It was first discovered in 1907 and is usually associated other unusual minerals including natrolite, neptunite, joaquinite, serpentine and albite.

For more information head over to GemSelect and their article about this rare blue gemstone.

Benitoite

Benitoite

Benitoite

Site Update 13 May 2013

Hi all,

We posted a new update to the site this week with 14 new specimens.  We are hoping to get another update up possibly as soon as later this week.

This one is another selection of pieces from around the world, including two from the state of Colorado.  One is a Rhodochrosite and Quartz piece from the famous Sweet Home Mine outside of Alma in Park County while the other is a Barite specimen from Stoneham, Weld County in the northeast part of the state.  Check 'em out below.

Rhodochrosite, Quartz, Chalcopyrite, Sphalerite
Sweet Home Mine, Alma, CO

Barite
Stoneham, Weld County, Co

Also included in this update is this Manganoan Calcite specimen from Zlatograd, Bulgaria:

Calcite (Manganoan)
Ermareka Mine, Zlatograd, Bulgaria

That's it for now.  We'll be posting some previews of the next update in the coming days.