Neptunite and Benitoite

Item Description

A stunning, 2.8 cm-large neptunite crystal is the focal point of this outstanding and aesthetic combination plate from the famous and now-closed Dallas Gem Mine. The dposit was unique, and now it is basically strip mined and what came out is pretty much all there will be going onwards. The sculptural, snow-white, natrolite-covered serpentine matrix is beautifully accented with textbook, partially gemmy, indigo-blue, benitoite crystals to 1.0 cm, plus smaller neptunite crystals and a scattering of rare, yellow-orange joaquinite microcrystals. The large neptunite is sharply terminated and has mirror-bright luster. An adjacent neptunite has gemmy flashes of color. A very high quality combination specimen from this noted locale, notable for the sharpness, luster, and balance of its neptunite crystals rather than for the benitoite itself as most such specimens are. Valued at $1450.