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Glittering
Stones >> Semi
Precious Stones >> Benitoite
Semi Precious Stone Benitoite
Benitoite, a rare blue silicate mineral found in hydrothermally
altered serpentinite. Benitoite fluoresces under short wave ultraviolet
light, appears to be light blue in color. Dr. Louderback, who
conducted the discovery examination of the mineral, named Benitoite,
“as it occurs near the head waters of the San Benito River in
San Benito County,” California.
Benitoite's hardness makes it suitable for use as a gemstone,
though the general lack of usable material has limited this use.
It is a rare mineral found in very few places, most prominently
in southern San Benito County, California, Japan and Arkansas.
In San Benito, it is found in natrolite veins within glaucophane
schist and serpentinite body. In Japan, its occurrence is found
in magnesio-riebeckite-quartz-phlogopite-albite dike. The mineral
benitoite is typically found with some combination of natrolite,
joaquinite, and neptunite on a greenish-grey serpentinite base.
Benitoite’s fluorescence is used for identification purposes
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Historical Facts of Benitoite
| Refractive Index |
1.757 - 1.759, 1.802 - 1.804 |
| Chemical Composition |
BaTiSi3O9 |
| Hardness |
6 - 6.5 |
| Density |
3.6 |
| Crystal Group |
Hexagonal |
| Luster |
Vitreous |
| Color |
Blue, White, Colorless |
| Occurrence |
San Benito County, California |
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Gem Stone Benitoite Jewelry
| Benitoite Bracelet |
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| Benitoite Earrings |
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| Benitoite Necklace |
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| Benitoite Rings |
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