Detailed information
Species
Joaquinite-(Ce), Neptunite, Natrolite
Dimensions
77 x 118 x 58
mm
Locality
California State Gem Mine New Idria District, Diablo Range San Benito Co., California, USA
Condition
No recorded repairs
This exposed vein section of snow-white Natrolite is richly covered with scattered, long, elegant black Neptunite crystals to over 2 cm in length, all with highly lustrous glassy faces and perfect terminations. This fabulous specimen is from the California State Gem mine in San Benito County, California, and is a true classic. Neptunite is a complex silicate mineral and California State Gem mine is the premier world locality for crystals, and associated with it in this specimen are a few 1 mm and sub-mm, translucent toffee-orange Joaquinite-(Ce) crystals perched on the Natrolite. The California State Gem mine is the type locality for Joaquinite-(Ce), another silicate mineral, but in this case an incredibly complex sodium barium cerium iron titanium silicate hydroxide hydrate. This specimen displays beautifully and is a good cabinet size for display (for the Neptunite).