Neptunite with Benitoite

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Everyone knows of the beautiful blue mineral Benitoite from California State Gem mine and by association the long shiny black crystals of Neptunite, both of which usually stand out upon a contrasting white background of fine grained Natrolite. This fine cabinet specimen from Nick Hawes' collection is from the Dallas Gem mine section of the California State Gem mine and displays numerous large and well-formed prismatic Neptunite crystals, the largest reaching 1.5 cm in length. These, along with a single, 2.5 mm wide, well-formed pale blue Benitoite crystal have been carefully etched out from the surrounding Natrolite, but with enough Natrolite left in place to provide that wonderful contrasting backdrop. This is the Type Locality for Benitoite, but although the Neptunite from California State Gem mine is also some of the best in the world, it was first discovered in Greenland a few years earlier. This fine specimen is a really great larger example of Neptunite and although the Benitoite crystal is small, the classic association is there to see.