Benitoite 3.37ct, California State Gem Mine, Santa Rita Peak, California

Description: 87 Stunning Benitoite gemstones from the California State Gem Mine, Santa Rita Peak, California.These are mostly round brilliant cut with handful of ovals mixed in. The color ranges from top quality royal blue to completely colorless. This is a perfect parcel for an amazing piece of American gemstone jewelry. The combined weight of all the stones is 3.37 carats, the average weight is 0.038 ct. Bentonite was discovered in 1907 in the diablo mountains by Prospector James Couch, he discovered a vein with some intriguing blue crystals, he thought they must be sapphires. He sent them to Dr. George Louderback, a professor of mineralogy at the University of California, Berkeley, and he identified them as new mineral and named them Bentonite after San Benito County where they are found. The claim was originally called the Dallas Gem Mine and was operated by owner R.W. Dallas, for five years the mine produced many excellent gemstones from an open cut and a short tunnel. The deposit is comprised of natrolite veins cutting a glaucophane schist inclusion in a serpentinite body. The deposit has been worked on and off over the years, all of the original vein has been mined out and any recent production has been from the alluvial material below. Benitoite is typically a gorgeous royal blue color and has more dispersion than a diamond. There is only one deposit in the entire world the produces this beautiful stone and someday it will be completely mined out. Here is your chance to own a classic American gemstone.

Price: 2990 USD

Location: Salt Lake City, Utah

End Time: 2025-02-02T01:02:35.000Z

Shipping Cost: 15 USD