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Benitoite: Treasure Hunt Toolkit

What's next? It's Benitoite! Kirsten and the crew camp out on a rocky mountain between Hollister and Coalinga, CA. It's the only place in the world you can find the rare blue gem. So the crew braves the elements to search for glowing gems at the California State Gem Mine. Beware! Some hunters have been stung by scorpions that glow at night. The crew gets an appraisal from W. Scott Forrest Gemstones and changes their finds into pieces of jewelry with help from Lehrer Designs. Ready to hunt for what glows at night? Plan your hunt now!  

Location Information
Where to Go & What to Bring
Location Information

California State Gem Mine
GPS: Latitude: 36.137020, Longitude: -120.362889; N36°8.2212, W120°21.77334
Where: Southeast corner of San Benito, CA, between Los Angeles and San Francisco
Phone: (559) 935-5909 or (559) 284-4126
Website: Cal State Gem Mine		  

Toolkit

 

  • Rock Hammer
  • Screen
  • Sack
More Cal State Gem Mine information

You must make reservations. The mine opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 4 p.m. The cost is $100 per day. Each person is allowed to take home a 5-gallon bucket of material. Screens are available, although most screeners bring their own.

Learn More!

More on Benitoite

 

  • Know other places to hunt for Benitoite? Suggest your own hunt on our message boards!

 

  

Appraisal Information

 

 

  • Then the crew stopped at Lehrer Design, an award-winning custom-design jewelry and gemstone operation in Larkspur, CA.

 
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