Benitoite with Natrolite

Unknown Owner

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Well over a dozen blue, zoned, triangular Benitoite crystals adorn the display face of this fine small cabinet piece from the classic and best locality for the species, also where it was first found (type locality). Many of the crystals are ideally perched upright, or nearly so, for ultimate "displayability" to show off their great form and color zoning. These translucent Benitoites range in size from 0.5 to nearly 2 cm (!) and all of the crystals are zones with a thick, rich sapphire blue rim and a pale blue core for great contrast and aesthetics. The large faces on the crystals have a good luster while the thin, rectangular prism faces along the sides have a bright luster and flash while rotating the piece. All crystals are perfect except the corner of the far right crystal. The snow-white Natrolite between the crystals provides perfect contrast and "displayability". All too often, this white coating is removed in hasty preparation of the specimens, and we are left with blue on gray, instead of blue on white. This is therefore a very fine small cabinet piece with dramatic display qualities.