Benitoite

Benitoite, the state gem of California, is one of those crazy rare minerals that is both chemically interesting and beautiful at the same time. It is unique in the world in forming large crystals at only this small area in California; and we treasure them. This is a pristine full miniature with spectacular color. This piece has a quality and color saturation that speak for itself. The large crystal at the bottom is 2.3 cm, as shown. The sharp triangular crystal in the middle as we show it, is 1.5 cm on edge. However, it can equally justifiably be turned upside down and shown with the bigger crystal atop...there is no wrong way to display such a pristine, floater specimen. We have had very very few benitoite of such quality in recent years. The supply is essentially nonexistent, as all specimens of this quality are just locked up in old collections now. Mostly, we find larger specimens with smaller crystals; and so this rich miniature with so much concentrated color at once is a rare find. László Kupi photo.