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Benitoite & Crossite

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TPX768758

Benitoite & Crossite

Type Locality

Description Tabs

Description
Locality: 
California State Gem Mine, San Benito County, California, United States of America
Class: 
Crystals on Matrix
Size Range: 
Miniature (4.5-7 cm)
Size: 
6.2 × 4.7 × 3.2 cm
Weight: 
75.00gr
Description

Very interesting specimen of blue benitoite crystals with aegirine and natrolite on crossite matrix. All these pieces have been treated with hydrochloric acid to extract the crystals from the natrolite layer. Benitoite is fluorescent in blue under the short wave ultraviolet light, as you can see in the last photo.

Mineral Data
What's on the rock

Benitoite

Formula: 
BaTi(Si3O9)
Strunz: 
9.CA.05
Crystal System: 
Hexagonal
Hardness: 
6.0 - 6.5
Type Locality: 
California State Gem Mine (Dallas Gem Mine; Benitoite Mine; Benitoite Gem Mine; Gem Mine), Dallas Gem Mine area, San Benito River headwaters area, New Idria District, Diablo Range, San Benito Co., California, USA

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