Brett Keller's Photo Gallery
73D-PE3Benitoite BaTi(Si3O9)
Another of my favorite Benitoites, personally etched from ore found in the 1950's. These Bennies are the classic deep blue from times of old. There is one neptunite. The largest Benitoite crystal is 1.8 cm
size 9cm x 6 cm
GQC-23VBenitoite BaTi(Si3O9) , Neptunite KNa2Li(Fe2+)2Ti2[Si4O12]2
I call this one the ampitheatre. I collected this myself in march 2007. It started off as a big 8" by 8" by 6" rock with veins all around it studded with crystals of Benitoite poking out along the veins. This rock was cut into 3 pieces, yielding this, the best. The first step of the etching process was to expose the natrolite veins. This was done with HCl by softening the crossite matrix and gradually scraping it off with any tool that would work. When I finally got through the crossite, I began etching the natrolite to expose the benitoites. These exhibit a classic, deep royal blue color uncommon in recent history of the mine. There are two triply terminated crystals on the piece, about 8-9 mm each. The biggest Neptunite is pretty cool in that it is one crystal that splits into a multitude of small crystals kinda like Bart Simpson's noggin! The nep is over 2 cm altogether.
Size: 8.6 by 6 cm
217-QJ0Benitoite BaTi(Si3O9) , Neptunite KNa2Li(Fe2+)2Ti2[Si4O12]2
Here is one of my finest Benitoites, with a few Neptunites. This was etched personally from ore found in the 1950's, during Clarence Cole's ownership of the mine.
Size: 7 cm by 5.5cm.
Photo taken under 5000K fluorescent light
5W7-XH7Benitoite BaTi(Si3O9)
Size 18 by 20 cm (7" by 8")
Benitoite, Neptunite and related minerals formed in seams within a crossite matrix and were later filled in with Natrolite. This may be the saving grace of Gem quality Benitoite, since the Natrolite protects the crystals from tectonic forces. Specimen viewed in SW UV.
HVC-55CBenitoite BaTi(Si3O9) , Neptunite KNa2Li(Fe2+)2Ti2[Si4O12]2
15 cm by 7 cm. Largest Neptunite is 3.3 cm, largest Benitoite (triply terminated) is 2 cm. There are a couple of crystals of Joaquinite, also.
This was my first Benitoite!! Found January 19th 2007. I spotted this from about 40 feet away, on my first dig ever at any mine!! It took nearly 20 hours of etching and waxing, and after a year of looking at it and studying it, I finally completed the final trimming in feb 2008.
I am so hooked on Benitoite. Since this find I have been to the mine 7 more times and have found over 50 nice specimens of Benitoite and Neptunite. More specimens will be listed soon (only my best!)
This piece, before final trimming, along with several others was filmed by Travel Channel's "Cash and Treasures" which was aired spring 2008!!!! They filmed in daylight and with Shortwave Ultraviolet. The photos missed the cut for the USA version, but I am told that it will be included in the international episode to be aired at a later date!
Sadly, the EPA has shut down the Clear Creek recreational area for a two year study of the area. This area includes the mine, so I am truly thankful to have had the opprtunity to collect there!
357-UKGBenitoite BaTi(Si3O9) , Neptunite KNa2Li(Fe2+)2Ti2[Si4O12]2 , Joaquinite-(Ce) NaBa2Ce2FeTi2[Si4O12]2O2(OH,F)·H2O
2.5 by 4 cm.
Benitoite Crystal is 1.6 cm on edge.
Self Collected at the mine 3/19/07
This specimen and several others I have found were filmed by Travel Channel for "Cash and Treasures" to be aired this spring!!!! More listings to come.
The Mine is open for fee collecting! Send me an email for more info or just to talk Benitoite!
WCK-PMNNeptunite KNa2Li(Fe2+)2Ti2[Si4O12]2 , Benitoite BaTi(Si3O9)
Self Collected by awhino aka Brett Keller
Filmed by Travel Channel's "Cash and Treasures" to be aired spring 2008!!!
23 cm by 14 cm specimen of Benitoite (blue) with Neptunite (black). There are 19 Benitoites from 2 mm to 1.3 cm, and Neptunites up to 3 cm, some with multiple terminations.
Photo taken with Coolpix digital camera in natural light. No enhancements.
The mine is open for collecting on a fee basis. If you are interested in joining in on a field trip or want to talk Benitoite drop me a line!
