Benitoite on Matrix, (Unusual Termination)
Benitoite Gem Mine
San Benito County, California
4.1 cm x 3.9 cm x 1.8 cm
Here is really nice specimen of Benitoite, with some unusual features to it! A must for the odd crystal collectors.
The large center crystals, 1.4 cm, is completely terminated, although heavily modified.
It has very unusual faces. The very top tip was altered by some matrix underneath it.
However the rest of the crystal has no matrix under it, just some snowy white natrolite.
If Natrolite is said to have been the last mineral to form at the mine, covering all the crystals that previously formed,
then what could have altered the termination on that side of the crystal?
There are other crystals around the edges that have all been contacted to some extent.
The other oddity, is the perfect triple terminated benitoite crystal that is only 1.0 mm.
It has to be the smallest triple that has not been etched away or removed during cleaning process.
Definitely a first for me!
Overall a very unique specimen.
