Benitoite

Item Description

Benitoite is one of those minerals that is essentially thought of as coming from a single world locality. Although it is found in a few places around the world, nearly every collector associates it the specimens from the famous and now closed California State Gem Mine (Dallas Gem Mine). This piece hosts a few classic, sharp, trigonal, beautiful blue crystals of Benitoite measuring up to 7 mm associated off-white Natrolite on soft blue-grey Crossite matrix. Very minor golden-brown Joaquinite can be seen as well. The largest Benitoite is in fine condition, but the other smaller crystals are not totally complete. These specimens are becoming incredibly hard to find now, and are highly sought after by collectors. Even though Benitoite is well-known from this locality, it's still an incredibly rare mineral worldwide.
From the collection of John Whatley, a well-known Georgia collector (1939-2022). John had many interests and hobbies, and favorite hobby was collecting rocks and minerals. He was a member of the Augusta and Aiken, SC Gem and Mineral Society. He also enjoyed collecting arrowheads and he co-authored the book, An Overview of Georgia Projectile Points and Select Cutting Tools. He was a member of the Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama Archaeology Societies and he also enjoyed volunteering in the Archaeology Department at SRS.
You can read more about John at: https://www.thomaspoteet.com/obituaries/john-whatley