Rare gemstone Benitoite

Benitoite

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Benitoite on natrolite

General

Category        Cyclosilicate

Formula

(repeating unit)         BaTiSi3O9

Strunz classification  09.CA.05

Crystal symmetry      Hexagonal 6 m2 ditrigonal dipyramidal

Unit cell          a = 6.641 Å, c = 9.7597(10) Å; Z = 2

Identification

Color   Blue, colorless

Crystal habit  Tabular dipyramidal crystals, granular

Crystal system           Hexagonal

Twinning        On {0001} by rotation

Cleavage        [1011] poor

Fracture         Conchoidal

Mohs scale hardness 6 - 6.5

Luster Vitreous

Streak White

Diaphaneity   Transparent to translucent

Specific gravity          3.6

Optical properties     Uniaxial (+)

Refractive index        nω = 1.756 - 1.757 nε = 1.802 - 1.804

Birefringence δ = 0.046

Pleochroism    O = colorless; E = purple, indigo, greenish blue

Solubility         Insoluble: HCl, H2SO4

Soluble: HF

Other characteristics Blue fluorescence under SW UV; intense blue cathodoluminescence

            Benitoite (ben-EE-toe-ite) is a rare blue barium titanium silicate mineral, found in hydrothermally altered serpentinite. Benitoite fluoresces under short wave ultraviolet light, appearing bright blue to bluish white in color. The more rarely seen clear to white benitoite crystals fluoresce red under long-wave UV light.

It was first described in 1907 by George D. Louderback, who named it benitoite for its occurrence near the headwaters of the San Benito River in San Benito County, California.

Benitoite occurs in a number of sites, but gemstone quality material has only been found in California. It is California's official state gem

Associated minerals and locations

Benitoite typically occurs with an unusual set of minerals, along with minerals that make up its host rock. Frequently associated minerals include: natrolite, neptunite, joaquinite, serpentine and albite.

Benitoite is a rare mineral found in very few locations including San Benito County, California, Japan and Arkansas. In the San Benito occurrence, it is found in natrolite veins within glaucophane schist within a serpentinite body. In Japan, the mineral occurs in a magnesio-riebeckite-quartz-phlogopite-albite dike cutting a serpentinite body.

In 1985 benitoite was named as the official state gem of California.

This gemstone was founded in 1906. It is an extremely rare gemstone.  This gemstone in the whole world was found only on the bank of  Saint Benetto River in Saint Benetto situated in California. Which is why it is named Benitoite Gemstone. At the present one of its mine has been closed. When it was seen for the first time , everyone thought that this is some kind of an amethyst gemstone, and was later sent to California University for testing and was recognized as a new gems.

It is available in the form of the small small crystals. It is very rare to find this stone in 1

carat. It is found in blue and purple colour. It is also very rarely found in red colour .It maintains the aura of two colours together. But when seen from a particular angle it sometimes appear colorless and sometimes gives the shades of pink and orange. It is found in the shape is a pyramid. Sometimes when it is found in blue color , is seems white when seen from the top , as it is covered with snow.

Because this gem is rare, it is also expensive; often commanding well over $1,000 per carat. Gem collectors, in particular, seek out this stone because of it obscurity. Gem investors believe that it could eventually become one of the most expensive gems in the world.

Overall, the gem's popularity has continued to grow steadily over the past few decades. While it is still out of reach of the common man, that doesn't seem to ward off die-hard lovers of beautiful gems.

Metaphysical Uses of Benitoite:

Benitoite is a wondrous stone of higher communication.

Enhances physical, emotional and intellectual selves.

Used to facilitate contact with extra-terrestrial beings.

A great stone for dancers/athletic people because it brings movement and activity. 

Allows telepathic communication.

Brings forth empathy and understanding.

Used during meditation, can enhance the experience of astral travel.

Benitoite brings us light and joy, allowing us to see the true beauty within each of us. 

Benitoite is used to help one overcome one's fear of water. 

Said to help us to realize our passage through time and space...that we will be here again whether in energy form or human. That this life is not our last, and to help

us understand karma, to live the laws of karma so that we can balance our   karmic accounts. 

Use to bring forth clairvoyance.

Benitoite is associated with the astrological sign of Virgo and vibrates to the number 9.

Is associated with all of the chakras.

Physical Uses of Benitoite:

Used to treat disorders of the blood and to ameliorate excessive bleeding.

Expedite the healing process.

It is a rare and a powerful gemstone. It is considered favorable for the high level of communication .The media quality of a person increases holding this gemstone. The person with this stone , can feel a connection with supernatural powers in a convenient way. It connects the human minds by playing the role of driving  telepathy.

With this gemstone a person can establish a relationship with subtle folk and helps in the development of human power . It provides happiness and enlightens the destiny of the holder. It beautifies the human mind in all aspects of body, emotions, and brains and gives high values ​​in life position. It also increase the positivity in the environment.

Like most gemstones, benitoite is believed to possess certain metaphysical properties. Many psychics believe that the brilliant blue stone is helpful in boosting clairvoyance as well as for aiding in astral travel through both time and space.

Because of the gem's natural fire, it is called a stone of light; in particular, one that allows its wearer to see the beauty within themselves as well as within the souls of others. It is also considered a stone of great joy and one that spurs activity and movement, making it a great choice for dancers and athletes. The gem is also linked to emotional sensitivity, empathy, and understanding. As such, it is considered perfect for people in the medical and educational fields of study.

The crystal properties of this stone strongly relate to their action within the third eye chakra, and specimens like the one shown on the right that occur with Natrolite (white stone) are very powerful to expand your consciousness.

These crystals have a strong energy to stimulate psychic abilities, as well as aiding you to be aware of coincidence and synchronicity as it plays out in your life, and to see the deeper meaning of what you are experiencing.

If you use it in meditation, it may help you to make contact with the angelic beings that arrange positive synchronistic events. Communicate with these beings either directly, or via your spirit guides, and ask them to give you messages about what you need to know... via synchronistic events.

I personally have never seen benitoite but it certainly sounds lovely and seems to be a gem that actually might be a good long-term investment.