#cool rocks
Benitoite crystal from the Dallas Gem Mine, San Benito County, California. While this one is “stony” as opposed to “gemmy,” it’s an extremely sharp and well shaped trigonal crystal measuring .9 cm along the edges. Shown under white light and short wave ultraviolet light. Benitoite is a rare barium titanium silicate mineral and is widely considered to be one of the rarest gems/minerals in the world. It is the state gemstone of California, where it was first discovered in 1907.
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Benitoite on crossite and natrolite with a sprinkling of tiny joaquinite crystals from San Benito County, California. Shown under white light, short wave ultraviolet and long wave ultraviolet light. Benitoite is the State Gemstone of California.
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