Benitoite Mining Company
Coalinga, California
benitoiteneptunitejoaquinitenatrolite
Fee dig · Fee
Benitoite Mining Company
This is the only place the public can dig gem benitoite, California's state gem and a mineral essentially unique to this one San Benito County serpentine body. You screen, sift, and wash ore dirt, then carry the clean gravel into a darkened ultraviolet room where benitoite fluoresces electric blue against the black. Black prismatic neptunite and white natrolite come out of the same dirt. Book ahead — the operation runs by reservation only.
The card catalog
| What you can find | benitoite, neptunite, joaquinite, natrolite |
|---|---|
| Access | Fee dig — Fee |
| Fees | $140 per adult, $75 for children 12 and younger; you take home up to one quart-sized bag of finds per person, with larger specimens purchasable at estimated value |
| Season & hours | by reservation only, 9am-3pm on open days; weekday bookings require a minimum of three adult tickets. Check the reservation calendar for available dates |
| Kids | Family-friendly — kids screen and wash gravel alongside adults and the UV room is the payoff moment, but expect mud, sun, and a full six-hour day |
| Official source | Benitoite Mining Company (operator) |
| Last checked | Checked against its source August 16, 2026 |
Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
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Before you go
What does Benitoite Mining Company cost?
$140 per adult, $75 for children 12 and younger; you take home up to one quart-sized bag of finds per person, with larger specimens purchasable at estimated value Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
When is Benitoite Mining Company open?
by reservation only, 9am-3pm on open days; weekday bookings require a minimum of three adult tickets. Check the reservation calendar for available dates Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
Is Benitoite Mining Company good for kids?
Yes — Benitoite Mining Company works for families. kids screen and wash gravel alongside adults and the UV room is the payoff moment, but expect mud, sun, and a full six-hour day