We’ve been doing some serious digging for gemstones. Not deep inside a mine, although I would relish that adventure if I weren't claustrophobic, but ‘virtually’ digging through our library of Internet resources for beautiful Benitoite jewelry to show you. If you have already discovered Benitoite you will know how truly beautiful it is. You may even be lucky enough to have some Benitoite pieces in your jewelry collection. But if, like me, you are new to Benitoite, I know you’ll love this sparkling rich blue gemstone!
I'm delighted to tell you that our 'dig' really hit the jackpot! We unearthed some exquisite Benitoite jewelry at one of our favorite shopping sources for jewelry and gemstones, Artistic Colored Stones, a great online store owned by the Jewelry Collecting site’s gemology expert, Barbara W. Smigel, PhD, Graduate Gemologist GIA. This highly recommended online store is a rich resource for gemstones and beautiful gemstone jewelry, and offers a variety of customer-friendly features including a fascinating library of articles about gemstones, interesting and informative newsletters, an online gemology course, and so much more!
Another wonderful Benitoite source we found is W. Scott Forrest Gemstones. We highly recommend this online store that specializes in Benitoite and features a lavish ever-changing cornucopia of fresh cut gemstones and exquisite gemstone jewelry. A visit to W. Scott Forrest's jewelry shop in Old Town Clovis, an area very similar to Old Town Sacramento, only without the river, is definitely a must when you're in the historically rich center of California.
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Artistic Colored Stones
Artistic Colored Stones offers a wide selection of beautiful designer jewelry, one-of-a-kind custom cut gemstones, and gemstone carvings. Products move quickly in this online store so there are no guarantees the pieces we feature here will be available. However, the Benitoite jewelry you see in this showcase is representative of the exceptional quality you will always find at Artistic Colored Stones, for Benitoite and everything else offered there. In addition to being a gemologist, Barbara has been faceting gemstones for more than 10 years and designs jewelry as well. The store is updated every month with a wide selection of new inventory.
Benitoite 14k Ring: .94 ct.
Benitoite 14k Ring (J/D) .94 ct. 5.4 mm. [Gec: N] Round brilliant cut. This medium dark very slightly violetish blue stone has been lovingly set in a heavy gauge custom ring of yellow and white gold. Special care has been taken to provide protection for this treasure of a gemstone. Size 5 1/2
Benitoite 14k Earrings: .55 ct. tw
Benitoite 14k Earrings (J/D) .55 ct. tw. 4 mm. [Gec: N] Round brilliant cuts. These better than eyeclean stones have mediumd dark blue color and excellent dispersion. The fancy stud settings provide security and protection. BK
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W. Scott Forrest Gemstones
W. Scott Forrest grew up around Benitoite. His father, Bill, along with partner, Buzz Gray, owned the Benitoite Mine for 35 years and young Scott gained an early appreciation for this lovely blue gemstone with the sparkle of a diamond. He began collecting rough stones and has been faceting gemstones for more than 18 years. 13 years ago he bought a jewelry store that was closing in Old Town Clovis in the northeast side of Fresno. He does a fair amount of gold smithing and is continually faceting new stones and creating exquisite jewelry pieces like those you see here. Scott’s online store is updated at least every two weeks with the newest inventory featured in ‘Fresh off the Dop”.
.36 ct. Benitoite California Pendant
Fine medium/dark blue color set in 14kt yellow gold. Chain may be purchased separately.
62 ct. Benitoite/Diamond Pendant
Great color and clarity set in 14kt white gold,.68cts TW Diamond F/G-color VS/SI- clarity. With 14kt white gold chain.
.85 ct. Benitoite Pendant
Fine medium/dark blue color set in 14kt white gold. Chain may be purchased separately.
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As a ‘wannabe’ gemologist, learning everything I can about the gemstones in my jewelry collection enhances my appreciation of the beauty and value of each piece. So in the spirit of sharing as much information as we can about the components of jewelry, namely the gemstones and other materials used in their creation, here’s what ‘Our Gemology Expert’, Barbara W. Smigel, PhD., Graduate Gemologist, GIA, has to say about the gemstone, Benitoite:
"Benitoite is the quintessential American gemstone. Gem quality specimens are mined nowhere in the world except in San Benito County, California. Adopted as the California State gemstone, it is a favorite with collectors who admire its beautiful blue body color and its dispersion (.044) equal to diamond.
Dispersion has the potential to cause stones to twinkle with flashes of red and green, although there is a trade-off between dispersion and body color. Some admirers are willing to forgo the dispersive display to get a darker blue stone, while others admire a lighter stone in which dispersion is more evident.
At hardness 6.5 Benitoite is tough enough for most jewelry applications. Its scarcity, however, makes it virtually unknown to the general public. The flattened triangular crystals are usually small and highly dichroic showing blue and colorless. Obtaining the blue color usually means orienting the crystal for lesser yield. Finished gems are almost always under 1 carat and usually less than .5 carat. No treatments or enhancements are known for Benitoite. It is truly one of the most beautiful (and wearable) of the
collector gems.
This gem is quite expensive, especially for rich blue, clean stones at carat and above sizes. Clarity enhances value, especially in stones eyeclean or better. Very light and very dark stones are on the lower end of the value spectrum with medium dark stones at the pinnacle. Perfection of cut is sometimes sacrificed, even by the custom cutter, to achieve the largest possible gem so windows and less than optimal proportions are fairly common.
Gemological Data for Benitoite
Makeup: a barium, titanium silicate
Luster: Vitreous
Hardness: 6.5
Crystal structure: Hexagonal
Fracture: conchoidal
Density: 3.67
Refractive Index (RI): 1.76-1.80
Birefringence: .047
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We thank our gemology expert, Barbara W. Smigel, PhD., Graduate Gemologist, GIA, for providing this expert advice and commentary about Benitoite.
