Benitoite - a penny for your thoughts!

[Kim Bruun]

Hi guys!

I've been offered a benitoite, and I am very tempted - it's a stone I've always wanted in my collection, but I don't have any firsthand experience. The attraction is partly in the colour (I love blue and purple), partly in the dispersion, and partly in the rarity. Rarity can make a beautiful stone all the more attractive, but rarity without beauty is nothing.

Here is the vendor photo:



There are some nice flashes of blue there, but I am having trouble discerning the body colour. The vendor states that the colour is like that of a nice iolite, and that it isn't "neony at all". Now, I am not expecting vivid saturation, but when he said iolite, I was like, "how much of a gray mask does the stone have?"

What are your thoughts on this stone? Is it a nice benitoite? Any benitoite experts out there? The asking price is fair, but it's still not a small amount for me, so rare or not, I also want a stone that is beautiful - and I am simply not fond of a pronounced gray mask.

 

[rparker1998]

I am no expert by any means, but benitoite is an extremely rare gem, and especially one in that carat weight. So it's price should be substantial, I have a set of 5 TINY TEENY SMALL benitoite from TGT and I know what I paid for that suite of 5 was not cheap and they are about the size of a pin head ranging from clear to the blue you show in this picture.

That being said, It appears that the gem seems to have a doubling effect, like you would see in some Zircons if not cut correctly. I am not saying this stone isn't cut correctly, because it obviously has no window from the photo provided and has beautiful colors. The photo does look a tad photoshopped to me though.

I would certainly ask for a cert on this stone, checking both origin and treatments.

Just my two cents.
Thanks!
rparker1998

 

[chrono]

It's hard to tell anything from the photo due to the extreme angle shown. Does the vendor have other pictures showing the entire crown (table view) of the benitoite? A hand shot perhaps?

 

[Kim Bruun]

Thank you for your input, guys! It is from a reputable seller with a good returns policy.

It's hard to tell anything from the photo due to the extreme angle shown. Does the vendor have other pictures showing the entire crown (table view) of the benitoite? A hand shot perhaps?

Here's a hand shot.

Like I said, my main concern is the body colour. I remember my first spinel - a blue that looked positively like a sapphire on the vendor photo. Much to my disappointment, from the paper rolled a gun metal blue stone. I'm not expecting a vivid hauyne blue, but does benitoite tend to have a gray mask as distinct as that typical of inexpensive blue sppinel?

 

[chrono]

So far, the benitoites I've seen have a slight gray to strong gray mask. The lighter ones show dispersion better than the darker variety. What is the mm measurement and carat weight? You'll have to pay import taxes in order to see the stone in hand, right?

 

[Kim Bruun]

So far, the benitoites I've seen have a slight gray to strong gray mask. The lighter ones show dispersion better than the darker variety. What is the mm measurement and carat weight? You'll have to pay import taxes in order to see the stone in hand, right?

Exactly, I will have to pay import taxes - it's 7 mm in length, .7 carats. Plus FedEx is rather expensive as well.

I don't mind a bit of grey if the stone compensates with liveliness and fire (I have a purplish blue sapphire has the slightest gray mask, but which I adore anyway), but the attraction just isn't there if it has that wet newspaper look (spinel):

 

[T L]

Thank you for your input, guys! It is from a reputable seller with a good returns policy.

It's hard to tell anything from the photo due to the extreme angle shown. Does the vendor have other pictures showing the entire crown (table view) of the benitoite? A hand shot perhaps?

Here's a hand shot.

Like I said, my main concern is the body colour. I remember my first spinel - a blue that looked positively like a sapphire on the vendor photo. Much to my disappointment, from the paper rolled a gun metal blue stone. I'm not expecting a vivid hauyne blue, but does benitoite tend to have a gray mask as distinct as that typical of inexpensive blue sppinel?

Yes, benitoites can have a grey mask, and also be extinct, and to me, they look very violet/blue spinel like. They are also supposed to fluor as well, or you do not have a benitoite. I can see unsuspecting people thinking they're getting a benitoite and its a spinel instead. Not saying your vendor would do that, but just some FYI. It's also a softer stone, so not as suitable for wear like a spinel if that's your intention after obtaining it.

From wikipedia
"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."

 

[Kim Bruun]

Yes, benitoites can have a grey mask, and also be extinct, and to me, they look very violet/blue spinel like. They are also supposed to fluor as well, or you do not have a benitoite. I can see unsuspecting people thinking they're getting a benitoite and its a spinel instead. Not saying your vendor would do that, but just some FYI. It's also a softer stone, so not as suitable for wear like a spinel if that's your intention after obtaining it.

From wikipedia
"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."

Thank you, TL - I have done my homework on wikipedia and elsewhere. What I lack is the experience of having seen and compared several benitoites in person. If I were to buy a tsavorite or tanzanite, I would have the advantage of familiarity. But when this benioite arrives, it will be my first. Yes, I went with it. I do see gray in the photos, but also a lovely blue - and certainly more blue than the spinel I uploaded. Like I said, part of the attraction is the rarity - and the price was good, though not a steal.

I also have access to a flourescent lamp - don't know if it's short wave or long wave, though.

 

[T L]

Yes, benitoites can have a grey mask, and also be extinct, and to me, they look very violet/blue spinel like. They are also supposed to fluor as well, or you do not have a benitoite. I can see unsuspecting people thinking they're getting a benitoite and its a spinel instead. Not saying your vendor would do that, but just some FYI. It's also a softer stone, so not as suitable for wear like a spinel if that's your intention after obtaining it.

From wikipedia
"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."

Thank you, TL - I have done my homework on wikipedia and elsewhere. What I lack is the experience of having seen and compared several benitoites in person. If I were to buy a tsavorite or tanzanite, I would have the advantage of familiarity. But when this benioite arrives, it will be my first. Yes, I went with it. I do see gray in the photos, but also a lovely blue - and certainly more blue than the spinel I uploaded. Like I said, part of the attraction is the rarity - and the price was good, though not a steal.

I also have access to a flourescent lamp - don't know if it's short wave or long wave, though.

Well, when comparing the two side by side (a nice violet spinel and a benitoite), I cannot visibly tell the difference, and both have those sparks of color coming out of them. Benitoite, imo, tends to spark some blue, but so do my violet spinels. Of course, with most gemstones, some benitoites are better tone and saturation than others. The big downsides to me for benitoites are 1) they're rather soft, around a 6 or 6.5 on the Mohs scale, and 2) they're usually under one carat in size. Stones larger than 1 carat are considered huge for benitoite. It's nice to have one in your collection though, especially if you're an exotic gem collector. They are specific to only one small location on the Earth, and untreated (as far as I know).

Good luck with this stone, I hope it turns out to be what you wanted.

 

[Kim Bruun]

I know that benitoite is a soft stone, but I bought it for my collection rather than to have set. At a hardness of 6 - 6.5, it is durable enough for a display box. At 7 mm length, it is also just large enough to enjoy unset, I think.

And yes, the fact that gem quality benitoite is specific to one location, a mine that is no longer producing is quite exciting. Rarity definitely adds to the attraction of a beautiful gem. I'd love to own a taafeite one day, provided I can find one that doesn't have that ash gray mask.

 

[chrono]

This is a tough one because it now comes down to the accuracy of that single (or two) photographs. The best you can do short of having it shipped to you and paying the taxes will depend on trusting the vendor's replies to your questions. Is there any colour shifting on the benitoite?

 

[jstarfireb]

I'm not an expert, but the color looks lovely in the photos, it has the rarity factor (a benitoite over 0.5ct is vanishingly rare), and the dispersion of benitoite is amazing. I had to have one as soon as I heard of it. Mine is only 4mm and much less saturated in color, but it's one of my favorite stones. I hope you love it if you get it!

 

[Kim Bruun]

I hope you love it if you get it!

Thank you - we'll know in about a week!

 

[Kim Bruun]

It's here - and I love it. In no way could I mistake it for blue spinel. Under bright light, there are visible flashes of rainbow colour in my benioite, even though it is so small - no spinel I've ever seen has such fire! The vendor told that I would see more dispersion in a lighter stone, so I was surprised to see it so plainly. It's also much bluer than my blue spinel, though obviously not a rich cornflower blue. Still, it is a lovely blue with a hint of violet - which the vendor photos accurately convey. It's overcast today, but when I get the chance, I'll try to post post a picture of my own for you guys.

It's kind of a thrill to have something in one's collection that is rare and not easily replaced - but that said, I really feel that the stone has a distinctive appearance. Separate from tanzanite (another stone with a distinct look, and perhaps my favourite), sapphire, iolite, and blue spinel. And it's a look I really like. Too bad mother nature was not more generous with this material - but then, isn't that part of the fun?

 

[chrono]

Thanks for the update and congrats on adding a benitoite to your collection. Just like demantoid and sphene, it is the lighter variety that shows more dispersion than their darker kin. Now then, where are those pictures you promised?

 

[T L]

It's here - and I love it. In no way could I mistake it for blue spinel. Under bright light, there are visible flashes of rainbow colour in my benioite, even though it is so small - no spinel I've ever seen has such fire! The vendor told that I would see more dispersion in a lighter stone, so I was surprised to see it so plainly. It's also much bluer than my blue spinel, though obviously not a rich cornflower blue. Still, it is a lovely blue with a hint of violet - which the vendor photos accurately convey. It's overcast today, but when I get the chance, I'll try to post post a picture of my own for you guys.

It's kind of a thrill to have something in one's collection that is rare and not easily replaced - but that said, I really feel that the stone has a distinctive appearance. Separate from tanzanite (another stone with a distinct look, and perhaps my favourite), sapphire, iolite, and blue spinel. And it's a look I really like. Too bad mother nature was not more generous with this material - but then, isn't that part of the fun?

Pictures???

So happy you're thrilled with it.

 

[Kim Bruun]

This is the best picture I've been able to take. The specks on it are dust from my fingers. The cut is obviously not perfect in symmetry, but the windowing is not as apparent in hand - I'm thinking that what we see here is actually a tilt window.

The vendor photos are perhaps slightly more accurate in terms of colour. In hand, the stone shows a multicolour effect of a deep blue and a softer powder blue, much like the vendor close up. The colour is not quite as saturate as you'd expect to see in a good tanzanite, but it is superior to every iolite and blue spinel I've seen (though I freely admit that I haven't seen a top cobalt spinel). And then there is that wonderful dispersion under bright light, which truly sets it apart from practically any blue stone it might be confused with. Unfortunately, the camera can't quite pick up on it!



Remember, this is an extreme close up of a small stone!

 

[T L]

This is the best picture I've been able to take. The specks on it are dust from my fingers. The cut is obviously not perfect in symmetry, but the windowing is not as apparent in hand - I'm thinking that what we see here is actually a tilt window.

The vendor photos are perhaps slightly more accurate in terms of colour. In hand, the stone shows a multicolour effect of a deep blue and a softer powder blue, much like the vendor close up. The colour is not quite as saturate as you'd expect to see in a good tanzanite, but it is superior to every iolite and blue spinel I've seen (though I freely admit that I haven't seen a top cobalt spinel). And then there is that wonderful dispersion under bright light, which truly sets it apart from practically any blue stone it might be confused with. Unfortunately, the camera can't quite pick up on it!



Remember, this is an extreme close up of a small stone!

Very beautiful. I have seen spinels like that, but they are pretty rare. Enjoy your new stone!! What a rarity!

I find the dispersion of some fine spinels to be the same as benitoite too.

 

[ChrisA222]

I love it...

Kim, did you see that one on The Gem Trader's site? It is sold...but, check out that one..its bigger too, if I remember right. Its on his inventory/latest inventory page....hang on, Ill just attach a pic...someone was lucky enough to grab it...jealous...

Actually, they also have a Cobalt Blue Spinel there...also sold...also jealous! haha.

The Benitoite is 1.17ct and the Cobalt Spinel I believe is .95ct. Love them both...very much...

Im a total blue-stone freak myself. I have a nice blue Spinel (nothing like this one though), it shifts to a purplish Tanzanite color though in incandescent, and a nice Sapphire on the way, too.I also have a few really nice Blue Zircons...not the washed out ones on eBay... But a Benitoite is definately on my 'list'.

 

[Kim Bruun]

Thank you, TL! I've yet to see that kind of fire in spinel, and I'd be surprised to see it, since the dispersion of spinel is listed as 0.020 and the dispersion of benitoite is listed as 0.046 in Walter Schumann's Gemstones of the World. I am not saying you're incorrect - obviously, your knowledge of gems far surpasses mine. And like I said, I am unable to capture the fire of my benitoite - my burmese red spinel (which I love) certainly doesn't have that kind of fire. But fire or not, I would love to one day own a truly nice blue or lavender spinel with no grayishness to it.

And thanks, Chrisa22. Obviously, that stone - a real beauty - is better cut than mine, but I have no doubt that it would have been waaay out of my price range. And I still love mine for what it is - the quality of the material is very nice, I think, and the cut, while imperfect, still allows for plenty of fire in so small a stone. I'd love to see your spinel, even though I'd probably be jealous. Whenever the word tanzanite is used in the description of a stone's colour, you have my attention.

 

[T L]

Thank you, TL! I've yet to see that kind of fire in spinel, and I'd be surprised to see it, since the dispersion of spinel is listed as 0.020 and the dispersion of benitoite is listed as 0.046 in Walter Schumann's Gemstones of the World. I am not saying you're incorrect - obviously, your knowledge of gems far surpasses mine. And like I said, I am unable to capture the fire of my benitoite - my burmese red spinel (which I love) certainly doesn't have that kind of fire. But fire or not, I would love to one day own a truly nice blue or lavender spinel with no grayishness to it.

And thanks, Chrisa22. Obviously, that stone - a real beauty - is better cut than mine, but I have no doubt that it would have been waaay out of my price range. And I still love mine for what it is - the quality of the material is very nice, I think, and the cut, while imperfect, still allows for plenty of fire in so small a stone.

Well, the spinels I've seen with this kind of dispersion were well cut. I'm not saying that I'm more knowledgeable than you at all, it's just an observation, and you don't have to agree . Red spinels don't really have fire from what I've seen. I've only seen it in lavender, violet and blue family spinels.

Vancegems is a gem company that also specializes in benitoite, and I see lots of them when I go to Intergem (where he exhibits). I also own a benitoite around 70 points, so that's where I'm basing my experience with these gems.

I really love your stone, it's very nice color, well cut and quite beautiful.

 

[Kim Bruun]

I'm not trying to flatter you at all - obviously, you are a very experienced collector, and I am only too happy to pick up pointers. I may have attended a few gem fairs, but like I said, when I bought this stone, I hadn't seen a benitoite before, so I didn't know what to expect.

And thank you for your kind words. My benitoite definitely looks its best bathed in sunlight or other fluorescent light - that's when its at its most fiery and blue. It does close up a bit under that awful, yellowish light of an energy saving bulb, lol.

 

[chrono]

With such a high RI, I don't think what we are seeing is a tilt window. It could be a true window but who cares! The colour is lovely and the cutting looks great. Since the whatever-it-is is really small, I'm sure it disappears once on the hand. More pictures of this beauty please!