Benitoite
A variety of Benitoite Group
What is Benitoite?
Benitoite is a scarce and precious stone, so precious in fact it has been bestowed the honor of being the State Gemstone of California. Cut and polished specimens of benitoite are costly, commanding up to $5,000 per carat when perfect clarity and color are present. It is not a gem you'll see in most collections!
Uses & Applications
Benitoite is sometimes used in jewelry, though it is soft and can be damaged more easily than other gems. This makes it best suited to earrings or pendants. It is used as a barium or titanium ore in some locations, but that use is limited by its rarity.
Healing Properties
Benitoite encourages a person to discover their own bliss and happiness. Its positive energy forces expand consciousness. Those wishing to explore their psychic abilities may use it on their Third Eye chakra. The stone is said to help a person see the deeper meaning of events in their lives. It can also help in opening communication to improve relationships for a person in both their professional and personal life.
Optical Properties
- Refractive Index
- 1.757-1.804
- Birefringence
- 0.047
- Pleochroism
- Strong: blue, colorless
- Optical Character
- Biaxial positive
- Dispersion
- 0.039-0.046
Market Value Factors
Pricing varies for every rock and mineral, so use these universal factors to gauge Benitoite before comparing listings or appraisals.
Size & Weight
Larger, intact specimens usually command higher prices.
Rarity & Demand
Scarce material or popular varieties sell at a premium.
Condition & Finish
Chips, repairs, and heavy wear lower value; clean prep helps.
Treatment & Provenance
Untreated specimens with documented locality are prized.
Benitoite Localities Map
See where Benitoite is found with a localities map, collecting zones, and geology context. Generate a sample map preview below.
The Meaning
Although the history of benitoite is sparse because of its rarity, there is some suggestion in traditional folklore that this stone harnessed the power of water. Soldiers and sailors supposedly held this gemstone close, as they believed it would allow them safe travel and protect them when they were long distances from home.
Associated Chakras
Key Characteristics
Characteristics of Benitoite
Non-gem crystals of benitoite can have a very rare, six-pointed twinned form.
Formation of Benitoite
It was discovered in 1907 by prospector James M. Couch in the San Benito Mountains roughly halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Couch originally believed the mineral was a corundum mineral known as sapphire due to its resemblance of color. In 1909, a sample was sent to the University of California, Berkeley where mineralogist Dr. George D. Louderback realized it was a previously unknown mineral. Corundum (sapphire) has a defined Mohs hardness of 9, while benitoite is much softer. He named it benitoite for its occurrence near the headwaters of the San Benito River in San Benito County, California.
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Quick Facts
Physical Properties
- Color
- Sapphire blue, white to colorless, pink
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 6 - 6.5
- Density
- 3.68 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Crystal System
- Hexagonal
Chemical Properties
- Chemical Formula
- BaTi(Si3O9)
- Elements
- Ba, O, Si, Ti
Also Known As
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Benitoite FAQs
How do I identify Benitoite?
Benitoite can be identified by its hardness of 6 - 6.5 on the Mohs scale, Sapphire blue color, Vitreous luster, Hexagonal crystal system. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.
What color is Benitoite?
Benitoite typically appears in Sapphire blue, white to colorless, pink. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.
How hard is Benitoite?
Benitoite has a hardness of 6 - 6.5 on the Mohs scale. This gives it moderate hardness.
What is the characteristics of benitoite of Benitoite?
Non-gem crystals of benitoite can have a very rare, six-pointed twinned form.
What is the formation of benitoite of Benitoite?
It was discovered in 1907 by prospector James M. Couch in the San Benito Mountains roughly halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Couch originally believed the mineral was a corundum mineral known as sapphire due to its resemblance of color. In 1909, a sample was sent to the University of California, Berkeley where mineralogist Dr. George D. Louderback realized it was a previously unknown mineral. Corundum (sapphire) has a defined Mohs hardness of 9, while benitoite is much softer. He named it benitoite for its occurrence near the headwaters of the San Benito River in San Benito County, California.