Location: California State Gem Mine (Dallas Gem Mine; Benitoite Mine; Benitoite Gem Mine; Gem Mine), Santa Rita Peak, New Idria Mining District, San Benito Co., California, USA

Size: 1.33 x 0.83 x 0.45 inches

This piece has the big three rare species from this closed mine: Benitoite, Neptunite and Joaquinite-(Ce). (Yes you can still sift through the gravel for $100 per person and hope you find a small crystal but mining is shut down at this time.) The second picture shows the specimen under short wave light and the Benitoite fluorescing.

If you are looking for a piece from this mine they are getting harder and harder to find as most are now in private collections. The only reason why I have this one is that I found it while we were moving and could have easily sold it a dozen times from people asking if we had any pieces of these rare minerals for under $100.