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BENITOITE (BLUE), NEPTUNITE (BLACKISH RED), JOAQUINITE (BROWN) on NATROLITE (WHITE)

BENITOITE (BLUE), NEPTUNITE (BLACKISH RED), JOAQUINITE (BROWN) on NATROLITE (WHITE)

SPECIMEN NR #:701

Regular price $1,500.00 AUD
Regular price Sale price $1,500.00 AUD
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701
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Benitoite, BaTi(Si3O9), is an extremely rare blue mineral composed of barium titanium cyclosilicate, primarily located in hydrothermally altered serpentinite. It forms in the high-pressure, low-temperature conditions characteristic of subduction zones at convergent plate boundaries. Under short-wave ultraviolet light, benitoite fluoresces a bright blue to bluish white, while the less common clear to white crystals exhibit a red fluorescence under long-wave UV light.

Discovered in 1907 by prospector James M. Couch in the San Benito Mountains of California, it was initially mistaken for sapphire due to its color. In 1909, Dr. George D. Louderback at the University of California, Berkeley, identified it as a new mineral, naming it benitoite after the nearby San Benito River. While benitoite is found in various locations worldwide, high-quality gemstones have only been sourced from the Benito Gem Mine in California. Other occurrences have been noted in Montana, Arkansas, Japan, and Australia, but these specimens are generally smaller and considered accessory minerals. In 1985, benitoite was designated as California's official state gem. The mineral typically crystallizes in a hexagonal structure, with non-gem varieties occasionally exhibiting a rare six-pointed twinned form.

Neptunite is a silicate mineral characterized by the chemical formula KNa2Li(Fe2+, Mn2+)2Ti2Si8O24. It forms a series with mangan-neptunite as manganese content increases, while watatsumiite is a variant where vanadium substitutes titanium in the structure. First identified in 1893 from the Narssârssuk pegmatite in West Greenland, neptunite is also located in natrolite veins within glaucophane schist in San Benito County, California, as well as in Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, and the Kola Peninsula in Russia. The mineral derives its name from Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, due to its connection with aegirine, which is linked to Àgir, the Scandinavian sea deity.

Joaquinite, with the chemical formula (Ce), NaBa2Ce2FeTi2[Si4O12]2O2(OH,F) · H2O, is an exceptionally rare silicate mineral that contains cerium and exhibits a honey-yellow to brown hue along with a vitreous luster. It was named in 1909 by G.D. Louderback and W.C. Blasdale, referencing the Joaquin Ridge in the Diablo Range, the site of its discovery, which also borders the San Joaquin Valley. The name reflects its cerium content, a designation added by Nickel & Mandarino in 1987.

Natrolite is a mineral species classified as a tectosilicate and is part of the zeolite group. Its chemical composition is represented by the formula Na2Al2Si3O10·2H2O, indicating it is a hydrated sodium and aluminum silicate. The mineral was first identified in Hohentwiel, Hegau, Germany, which serves as its type locality. 

The term "natrolite" was introduced by Martin Heinrich Klaproth in 1803, deriving from the Greek words for soda (natron) and stone (lithos), reflecting its sodium content. Informally, it is also known as needle stone or needle-zeolite, a reference to the slender, acicular crystals that often form in divergent clusters. These crystals can frequently exhibit epitaxial overgrowths of natrolite, mesolite, and gonnardite in various arrangements.

Specimen details

The numbers under "variant" are the measurements in mm and weight in grams. Where known, the origin of the specimen is mentioned. The number at the end, is the specimen number in our collection. Colours may vary, due to photography.

Care

It's important to know that many minerals can be effectively cleaned with water. However, before using any cleaning methods, such as dissolvers or ultrasound, please take the time to research online. Improper use of these techniques could potentially harm your specimen.

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Shipping fees depend on the weight of your order and its destination, and they will be calculated at checkout. Not all platforms use the same rate. We will inform you about any rebates where possible. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us before placing your order. We strive to use the most economical shipping methods for your specimens and combine multiple orders to minimize costs. Please note that packaging is included in the shipping fees.

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Variant Variant total Quantity Price Variant total
45 20 32 28 / SAN BENITO COUNTY, BENITOITE GEM MT DIABLO, CA, USA / 701-32701
45 20 32 28 / SAN BENITO COUNTY, BENITOITE GEM MT DIABLO, CA, USA / 701-32701
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