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| Benitoite / Neptunite Specimens |
| Benitoite specimens and neptunite specimens are our specialty! We have a large stock of thumbnail, small, medium, and large cabinet benitoite specimens. We have more benitoite specimens than neptunite specimens because we find them at night using a shortwave blacklight and, ofcourse, neptunite specimens don't glow in our shortwave U.V. lamps. Specimens with both benitoite and neptunite are less well stocked. You can click on some of these images to enlarge them. I will be listing many more as I get time to process, photo, and webpost them. Most specimens here have been laboriously processed to expose their crystals and turn them into good specimens. I have spent as much as 40 hours on some --even more on others. I prefer to process them by a variety of mechanical means such as dremel tooling, chiseling, pressure washing, and media blasting--- but wax and etch teknix usually demand their unfun participation in specimen development. They are all well washed and ph balanced but may need an occassional washing to make them sparkle. I try to price them fairly taking into account the market and time invested. With the closure of the Gem Mine they are likely to diminish in already rare supply. The Gem Mine had a bad history of focusing on gem extraction and often pulverized great specimens in that pursuit. |
Large Cabinet Specimen of Benitoite and
Neptunite measures 6.5" x 4.5" x 3.5". Displays
well. Large chunks of ore like this are getting
harder to find since the commercial closure of the
Gem Mine! Could be lightly etched to produce
more relief. $650
Neptunite measures 6.5" x 4.5" x 3.5". Displays
well. Large chunks of ore like this are getting
harder to find since the commercial closure of the
Gem Mine! Could be lightly etched to produce
more relief. $650
Item#: WK2
| The Sleeping Ben-Dragon. One of my favorite benitoite specimens! This picture does little justice to this babe of a benitoite specimen. Her "head" is a large, fairly blue, ben crystal (1..6" x ~ 1.15" x ~1.25" x 1/2" thick) complete with perfectly set "eyes", blonde "hair", and even a mouth and tongue of mixed crossite/natrolite matrix. $2,100 |
| Item # : bc5sleepingben21c |
Thin-vein specimen.
Thin gemmy blue crystals on
natrolite/crossite matrix. About 4"x3" face
and 3" thick. Sits nicely two ways. $185
Thin gemmy blue crystals on
natrolite/crossite matrix. About 4"x3" face
and 3" thick. Sits nicely two ways. $185
Item 7sW-2
Large Cabinet Specimen of
benitoite and neptunite. Crystals
on two other sides too.
Measures 6" x 3.5" x 3". $150.
benitoite and neptunite. Crystals
on two other sides too.
Measures 6" x 3.5" x 3". $150.
Item #: WK1
| The STAR of IDRIA |
| Five views of the largest and best benitoite crystal I've found in 19 years of mining. It weighs in at an awesome 137 carats. It measures an astounding 1.50 inches on its sides and a beefy 1/2" thick! The "Star" has mirror-like schistosity on every face. I've heard there's a finer benitoite crystal specimen in the Mariposa Museum and I've seen two larger steel gray "stars" (with major breaks); and there are a few smaller benitoite crystals(1.25") that are gem grade beauties perched on matrix --- but I haven't seen any other "freefloating" benitoite crystals that can match this one for size and beauty. I'll part with it for $21,000 even though I have some very good reasons and a crystal pricing graph that tells me it should be worth seven times $21,000. |
| Item # :Star 21K |
ACTUAL SIZE
Large Cabinet Specimen of gemmy
benitoite on white natrolite matrix.
Measures 6" x 4" x 4". $200
benitoite on white natrolite matrix.
Measures 6" x 4" x 4". $200
Item#: WK3
Museum Sized Neptunite
Monster Slab
Measures approx. 12" x 10" x3 to 5"
thick. Covered with many dozen
neptunite crystals--many well
terminated. Also has two small benitoite
crystals. Will offer as is for a very fair
$4.300. May continue etching process in
places as it is certain to contain
hundreds more crystals within.
Item: MusRix1
Monster Slab
Measures approx. 12" x 10" x3 to 5"
thick. Covered with many dozen
neptunite crystals--many well
terminated. Also has two small benitoite
crystals. Will offer as is for a very fair
$4.300. May continue etching process in
places as it is certain to contain
hundreds more crystals within.
Item: MusRix1
Museum Sized Benitoite
Boulder
This thin vein specimen is painted with
gemmy blue benitoite. Measures approx.
11" x 8" x 2 to 4"thick. Every time I
pressure wash the crystal face I turn a
few more square inches from white to
blue. These crystals aren't what I'd call
drusy--more like platy. Will sell at this
stage for $1,100. Could easily be worked
into a higher value. May contain cutters.
Item: 8MusW5
Boulder
This thin vein specimen is painted with
gemmy blue benitoite. Measures approx.
11" x 8" x 2 to 4"thick. Every time I
pressure wash the crystal face I turn a
few more square inches from white to
blue. These crystals aren't what I'd call
drusy--more like platy. Will sell at this
stage for $1,100. Could easily be worked
into a higher value. May contain cutters.
Item: 8MusW5
Extra Large Mega-Museum Sized
Big Ben Boulder
Measures 18" long, 6" high, and 6 to 7" wide.
Peppered with gemmy benitoite crystals that
congregate in splotches. Well, see for
yourself--here's 3 photos you can click on. I haven't
weighed it yet-I'd guess 30 LBS--and I'm still
cleaning it. I'm authorized to sell it even as I work
on it and in this business thats fine by me. $2,300.
Item: 8MusW6
Big Ben Boulder
Measures 18" long, 6" high, and 6 to 7" wide.
Peppered with gemmy benitoite crystals that
congregate in splotches. Well, see for
yourself--here's 3 photos you can click on. I haven't
weighed it yet-I'd guess 30 LBS--and I'm still
cleaning it. I'm authorized to sell it even as I work
on it and in this business thats fine by me. $2,300.
Item: 8MusW6
Other great benitoite and neptunite specimens:
I've decided to offer medium priced($120 to $300), but as yet unphotoed and
unposted specimens in $20 increments.
Simply decide a price you can afford, say $160 or $240 for example, and then choose
from these categories:
1) Benitoite on matrix
2) Gem grade benitoite on matrix
3)The above two categories with neptunite too.
4) Neptunite on matrix
Please tell me about what size your looking for. I'll be able to tell you if I have it or can
soon produce it. Don't send payment until I can verify the order!
For now, I have enough stock in the $120 to $300 range to be able to ship in a timely
manner and will always round a price up(substitute a higher value specimen) if need
be--but please allow up to three weeks for shipment so I don't get ulcers when I need
to finish processing some specimens.
I'm going to try this method and see how it works out. I know it will work out for
clients because I guarantee their satisfaction. I'm hoping it will save me some time
with photos, descriptions, and web-posting.
unposted specimens in $20 increments.
Simply decide a price you can afford, say $160 or $240 for example, and then choose
from these categories:
1) Benitoite on matrix
2) Gem grade benitoite on matrix
3)The above two categories with neptunite too.
4) Neptunite on matrix
Please tell me about what size your looking for. I'll be able to tell you if I have it or can
soon produce it. Don't send payment until I can verify the order!
For now, I have enough stock in the $120 to $300 range to be able to ship in a timely
manner and will always round a price up(substitute a higher value specimen) if need
be--but please allow up to three weeks for shipment so I don't get ulcers when I need
to finish processing some specimens.
I'm going to try this method and see how it works out. I know it will work out for
clients because I guarantee their satisfaction. I'm hoping it will save me some time
with photos, descriptions, and web-posting.
benitoitecentral.com
Price: $21,000 firm
Benitoite and Neptunite
small cabinet specimen.
About a dozen gemmy ben
crystals, many well terminated,
and several neptunite
crystals--one very large. $375.
small cabinet specimen.
About a dozen gemmy ben
crystals, many well terminated,
and several neptunite
crystals--one very large. $375.
Item #: WK8-375
Small cabinet Specimen.
About a half dozen gemmy, well
terminated, benitoite crystals
and a dozen well etched
neptunite crystals--two of them
perched nicely together. $350.
Item: WK8-350
About a half dozen gemmy, well
terminated, benitoite crystals
and a dozen well etched
neptunite crystals--two of them
perched nicely together. $350.
Item: WK8-350
Small cabinet specimen of
neptunite and benitoite. Four
large, well terminated neptunite
crystals with 3 small, gemmy,
benitoite crystals--one well term.
$225. Item: WK8-225
neptunite and benitoite. Four
large, well terminated neptunite
crystals with 3 small, gemmy,
benitoite crystals--one well term.
$225. Item: WK8-225
Small cabinet specimen
---benitoite and neptunite.
Dozens of both gemmy
blue ben and shiny black
nep crystals on natrolite
matrix. $210.
Item:WK8-210
---benitoite and neptunite.
Dozens of both gemmy
blue ben and shiny black
nep crystals on natrolite
matrix. $210.
Item:WK8-210
Gorgeous little gem ben
and nep specimen. A
rosette of both--most
with fine terminations.
$280. Item: WK8-280
and nep specimen. A
rosette of both--most
with fine terminations.
$280. Item: WK8-280
Large neptunite and a well
terminated benitoite crystal
among others. Only $200.
Item: WK8-200
terminated benitoite crystal
among others. Only $200.
Item: WK8-200
SOLD
SOLD
Largest Benitoite Crystal I've ever
seen. Rare Arrowhead crystal form. Longest edge is
2.37". Opaque, very blue, high schistosity(it's shiny),
and has a small blob of neptunite and a few small
patches of natrolite attached to its show face. It
weighs 69 grams--thats 345 carats! It's a monster of a
benitoite crystal. It could be lapped into a garish
pendant stone--it has a good basic shape--though I'd
keep it as a specimen. Again, I 've been mining
benitoite almost 20 years and have never seen such a
huge crystal anywhere--not even in print. My partner
found it back when the Gem Mine was known as the
Dallas mine. I'm asking a modest $7,000. Item: WK7K
seen. Rare Arrowhead crystal form. Longest edge is
2.37". Opaque, very blue, high schistosity(it's shiny),
and has a small blob of neptunite and a few small
patches of natrolite attached to its show face. It
weighs 69 grams--thats 345 carats! It's a monster of a
benitoite crystal. It could be lapped into a garish
pendant stone--it has a good basic shape--though I'd
keep it as a specimen. Again, I 've been mining
benitoite almost 20 years and have never seen such a
huge crystal anywhere--not even in print. My partner
found it back when the Gem Mine was known as the
Dallas mine. I'm asking a modest $7,000. Item: WK7K
Large, riverworn , crystal.
One I found sitting on top of a
rock after the winter rains in 92'.
It's a sentimental favorite of
mine but I can't keep it forever.
Has chunk of matrix on back
that I left on---it helps it sit up in
a few positions. $600. Item:
KW1-600
One I found sitting on top of a
rock after the winter rains in 92'.
It's a sentimental favorite of
mine but I can't keep it forever.
Has chunk of matrix on back
that I left on---it helps it sit up in
a few positions. $600. Item:
KW1-600
Ben/Nep specimen. 5
gemmy blue bens(one a cutter?)
and about that many neps on
matrix. More cutters inside?
$175. KW2-175
gemmy blue bens(one a cutter?)
and about that many neps on
matrix. More cutters inside?
$175. KW2-175
Benitoite and neptunite cabinet specimen.
3 large gemmy crystals(one 5/8") and a few
smaller ones and a couple neps. $150.
KW3-150
3 large gemmy crystals(one 5/8") and a few
smaller ones and a couple neps. $150.
KW3-150
The Dragon's Brother.
Similiar in size to the
Sleeping Dragon listed
towards top of page---it's
the not so pretty (except in
blacklight!) brother---high
schistosity, large crystal
"head". $800. KW4-800
Similiar in size to the
Sleeping Dragon listed
towards top of page---it's
the not so pretty (except in
blacklight!) brother---high
schistosity, large crystal
"head". $800. KW4-800
Thin vein specimen. Both
ben and nep. Low releif, but
dozens of gemmy crystals.
$160. KW5-160
ben and nep. Low releif, but
dozens of gemmy crystals.
$160. KW5-160
The other half of above thin
vein. Same as above but only
$120. It's the lesser half.
KW6-120
vein. Same as above but only
$120. It's the lesser half.
KW6-120
Big Ben/ Big Nep on a
small specimen. One huge
and mostly gemmy(parts
could be cabbed) ben
crystal on one side and a
fairly large black neptunite
crystal one other side.
$400. KW7-400
small specimen. One huge
and mostly gemmy(parts
could be cabbed) ben
crystal on one side and a
fairly large black neptunite
crystal one other side.
$400. KW7-400
Two huge, ugly, craggy,
and huge crystals sitting
side by side on matrix. That
said, they're both obvious
trigons. Unusual. Great
under blacklight---I'll try to
get a photo as such posted.
$380. KW8-380
and huge crystals sitting
side by side on matrix. That
said, they're both obvious
trigons. Unusual. Great
under blacklight---I'll try to
get a photo as such posted.
$380. KW8-380
Click on photos to enlarge!
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD