Benitoite, Natrolite, Neptunite, Joaquinite, California State Gem Mine, San Benito Co, CA, USA - image 1

Benitoite, Natrolite, Neptunite, Joaquinite, California State Gem Mine, San Benito Co, CA, USA

Unknown Owner

A heck of a combination specimen. This piece features several species including benitoite, natrolite, neptunite, joaquinite, and even what I think is a very small diopside! A Willard Perkins piece with his famous typed labels on the top of the Styrofoam in the box.

Product details

Species
Neptunite, Benitoite, Joaquinite, NatroliteAbout Neptunite →
SizeMiniature
Dimensions3.4 x 2.3 x 1.8 cm
Added on12/20/2024
Locality
USA, California, California State Gem MineRegional guide →

Known provenance

DateCollectorAcquisition price
01/2026Unknown OwnerNot disclosed
—DanZ RockshopNot disclosed

Learn more

Neptunite
Mineral guide
Learn about Neptunite
jet-black, high-luster prisms with natrolite and benitoite; California State Gem Mine specimens exemplify striking contrast, rarity, and display.
Neptunite
Regional guide
Neptunite from California State Gem Mine, USA
from the California State Gem Mine is one of the great black-crystal classics of American mineral collecting: sharp, monoclinic prisms with a lacquered, almost metallic-looking luster, rising from white natrolite and, on the most coveted pieces, accompanied by blue benitoite and tiny honey- to orange-brown joaquinite-(Ce). Thick crystals read as jet-black across the room, but fine edges and broken splinters can flash deep reddish brown to maroon, a color clue that separates neptunite from the tourmaline-like impression it can give at first glance.