Benitoite

Unknown Owner

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This is a very aesthetic specimen of the rare, and justifiably famous, triangular-shaped mineral Benitoite, a barium-titanium borosilicate. This competitive-level perfect thumbnail is dominated by a single, blue, 1.5 cm Benitoite crystal that sits perfectly atop the etched matrix, all gem corners exposed to the air! It is also has a smaller companion crystal on the serpentine matrix that is 8 mm across. Both crystals have the distinctive sapphire-blue color around the periphery, especially at the corners, with definite gemminess. Both also have and have pale blue cores and are very lustrous. They are well formed with sharp faces and edges and they are absolutely pristine! The larger crystal sits profoundly near the apex of the perfectly sculpted serpentine matrix with its companion sitting just below it. A showy thumbnail that is both aesthetic and excellent for the species. The crystals display their characteristic blue fluorescence in short wave UV and the lighter colored cores fluoresce orange in long wave UV. The balance and geometry combine with condition and color to make this simply the perfect thumbnail, for beauty.