For the first time in over a year since the EPA and BLM closed 35,000 acres surrounding the mine, the public can once again fee dig for the California State Gemstone and rarest gemstone in the world. The owner is bringing dump loads of material down from the mine to be searched. There is even a dark room, for Blacklight searches. It has been open for a few weeks now, and some very nice pieces have been found. No one has left dissappointed. For more information go to the Benitoite Mines official website for all of the details, www.calstategemmine.com.

Also, email the show and ask them to replay the Benitoite show again. Unlike all of the other shows, the Benitoite show has only been aired 2 times total over a year ago. Thanks.

Thank you for the update. I see that the feds still have the mine closed to public access, but the mine owners have thought up an 'end run'. Very clever. We have access again to the California state gemstone. I will definitely be going.
-Rocky.