Benitoite
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Found in gem quality almost exclusively at a single deposit, the Benitoite Gem Mine in San Benito County, California, benitoite is a barium titanium silicate of exceptional rarity. It shows a sapphire-blue color, a dispersion that rivals diamond, and an intense white fluorescence under short-wave ultraviolet light. Crystallizing in the hexagonal system, it measures 6.0 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, hard enough for careful jewelry use but valued chiefly by collectors. California designated it the state gemstone in 1985, and the near-monopoly of its source, together with its beauty, places this moderately priced semi-precious stone among the rarest and most sought-after collector gems.
Physical & Optical Properties
Category
Semi-Precious Gems
Mohs Hardness
6.0 – 6.5
Specific Gravity
3.61 – 3.68
Refractive Index
1.757 – 1.804
Crystal System
Hexagonal
Luster
Adamantine,Subadamantine,Vitreous
Cleavage
Indistinct
Fracture
Conchoidal
Color
various
Birefringence
0.047
Dispersion
0.039
Pleochroism
Strong dichroism: blue - colorless
Mohs Hardness
| Mohs | Reference mineral | Benitoite |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Talc | |
| 2 | Gypsum | |
| 3 | Calcite | |
| 4 | Fluorite | |
| 5 | Apatite | |
| 6 | Orthoclase | ● |
| 7 | Quartz | |
| 8 | Topaz | |
| 9 | Corundum | |
| 10 | Diamond |
Crystal System
Value & Market
Price Tier
Moderate ($50-500/ct)
Where to Buy Benitoite
Blue Nile
Fine jewelry retailer
James Allen
Gemstone jewelry
Brilliant Earth
Ethically sourced gems
Amazon
Wide selection
Links may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Treatments
6 to 6.5Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references
3.61 to 3.68Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references
BrittleWalter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
IndistinctWalter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references
ConchoidalArthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
1.757 to 1.804Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references
Uniaxial/+Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references
0.047Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) DoublingMore from other references
Strong dichroism: blue - colorlessHerve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references
0.039 to 0.046Michael O?Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) More from other references
Blue, purple, pink, colourlessWalter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references
Blue, Fe2+-O-Ti4+ charge transferW. William Hanneman, Pragmatic Spectroscopy For Gemologists (2011)
Transparent,TranslucentArthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Adamantine,Subadamantine,VitreousWalter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references
Weak to bright chalky blue.Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references
InertHerve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references
HexagonalHerve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references
TabularMichael O?Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) More from other references
In natrolite veins cutting glaucophane schist in a serpentine body (San Benito Co., California, USA); in a magnesio-riebeckite-quartz phlogopite-albite dike cutting serpentinite (Ohmi, Japan).Anthony et al, Handbook of Mineralogy (2001)
Benitoite information at mindat.org
USA
NJMMh, 16 (1987) / Wise, W.S & Gill, R.H. (1977): Minerals of the Benitoite Gem mine. Mineralogical Record 8, 442-452
About Benitoite
Benitoite is an exceptionally rare blue barium titanium silicate that fluoresces an intense white under short-wave UV light and displays sapphire-blue color and high dispersion that rivals diamond. It is found in gem quality almost exclusively in a single deposit—the Benitoite Gem Mine in San Benito County, California—and was designated California's state gemstone in 1985. The near-monopoly of its source, combined with exceptional beauty, makes benitoite among the rarest and most valuable collector gems.
On this page
Jewelry Use
Durability
5/10
Science FYI Family
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Benitoite?
Benitoite is an exceptionally rare blue barium titanium silicate that fluoresces an intense white under short-wave UV light and displays sapphire-blue color and high dispersion that rivals diamond. It is found in gem quality almost exclusively in a single deposit—the Benitoite Gem Mine in San Benito
What is the hardness of Benitoite?
Benitoite has a Mohs hardness of 6.0 to 6.5, making it moderate for use in jewelry.
What color is Benitoite?
Benitoite is primarily Various.
How much does Benitoite cost?
Benitoite falls into the Moderate ($50-500/ct) price range. Prices vary based on color, clarity, cut, and origin.
What is the crystal system of Benitoite?
Benitoite belongs to the Hexagonal crystal system.