Gemstone Knowledge of Benitoite
Benitoite Gemstone
Family: Beautiful Benitoite belongs to its own family of gemstones.
Country Location: Benitoite can be found mostly in San Bernito County, California (this is where the only gem-quality Benitoite is found). Other minor occurrences of Benitoite are in Japan and Australia (New South Wales).
Rock Type: Benitoite can be found in the surrounding wall rock during metamorphism (low temperature and high pressure conditions). It can also be found in deposits caused by the cooling stage of hydro-thermal fluids found in veins of fracturing rocks. Any Benitoite found in the Benitoite Gem Mine, California, is amidst blue schist rocks.
Hardness: Benitoite’s hardness measures at 6.5, making it perfect to be used in everyday or party jewellery.
Popular Cuts: Benitoite can be found using the Round Brilliant and Oval Brilliant cut, so the stone can display a colourless hue at a certain angle and it’s unevenly distributed colour. The Cushion cut is used for those pieces with lower brilliance potential or with unusual fractures and inclusions. When Benitoite is out for jewellery use, its fire is magnificently displayed due to its high birefringence (double refraction).
Colour: Benitoite is most commonly found in a bold blue colour with a viable violet tinge. This blue colour is caused by traces of titanium and iron. The other varieties of colour include clear, white, pink and greenish grey. Benitoite has the amazing optical property of dichroicism, which is very strong. At some angles, a rich blue hue is displayed, while at other the stone appears as colourless.
Lustre: Benitoite’s lustre is Vitreous
History: Benitoite’s history centres mainly on its discovery. James M. Couch first came across Benitoite in 1907, when it he thought it was Blue Sapphire. The classification of Benitoite was determined by the specimens of neptunite and carlosite being found. Governor Deukmejian of California announced that Benitoite was the official gemstone of California in 1985.
Folklore: Benitoite‘s folklore and legends focus on the power of water. This stone is said to be popular with the army and sailors, as it promotes safe travel and protects those far from home
