46. Benitiote Gem Mine, California
Display Case from 2008 Tucson Gem & Mineral Show
by Brandy Naugle
Benitiote Gem Mine, San Benito Mountains, California, U.S.A.
This area is not only desolate, but down right treacherous in some areas.
Known primarily for the Benitoite Gem Mine,
where the state gemstone, Benitoite is found,
San Benito also has a plethora of various other deposits.
The most plentiful is serpentine, but there is also benitoite, neptunite, garnet, vesuvianite,
agate, dolomite, cinnabar, meta-realgar, fossils, quartz, asbestos, mercury,
and many others of less interest to field collectors.
We met up with San Benito expert Rick Kennedy (Earth's Treasures)
to film the Gem Mine.
Read about & see pictures from our trip to the San Benito Mountains,
check out our TRAVEL BLOGCompanion to The-Vug.com Film #72
< article 45 article 47 >All text, photos, and design © 2008 Brandy Naugle All rights reserved.
Webdesign by Brandy Naugle, Copyright 2002-2008; The Vug; a division of Zzyzx Minerals