Neptunite with Benitoite on Natrolite - image 1

Neptunite with Benitoite on Natrolite - image 2

Neptunite with Benitoite on Natrolite

$15,000.00

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T

The ArkenstoneFeatured

3,403 for sale·Member since 2026

One of the most rare of titanium minerals, here presented as a magnificent museum-sized plate for your viewing pleasure: Dozens of Neptunite crystals are attractively scattered on snow-white Natrolite on this cabinet piece that is set off by several Benitoite crystals around the periphery. The Dallas Gem Mine (now called the California State Gem Mine) is THE locality for both Neptunite and Benitoite and it's the Type Locality for Benitoite. The jet-black, super lustrous Neptunites range in size from 2 mm to a large, 3.8 cm in length and so many of them are doubly terminated! The two large ones are laying flat on the Natrolite as are many smaller ones, and there are quite a few Neptunites that jut out from the Natrolite and standing upright or nearly so from the matrix that have perfect terminations. For accent it has several crystals of sapphire-blue Benitoite around the edges. are two dozen smaller, jet-black, prismatic Neptunites scattered about the contrasting white Natrolite, nearly all of them well terminated. Four sapphire-blue Benitoite crystals are scattered about the periphery of the piece and display good color and luster, ranging in size from 0.7 to 1.4 cm across. They are mostly exposed from the contrasting Natrolite and are in perfect condition. This is just a perfectly composed and well-balanced combination specimen from the classic, California State Gem Mine! The location is not gone, but is more or less strip mined out. We do not expect more specimens of quality to be found - ever. Specimens of this size are simply seldom seen and seldom surviving. It is a significant piece worthy of any top collection of display sized rare species specimens of beauty.