It forms in low temperature, high pressure environments typical of subduction zones at convergent plate boundaries.

Benitoite fluoresces under short wave ultraviolet light, appearing bright blue to bluish white in color.

[6][7] Benitoite occurs in a number of isolated locations globally, but gemstone quality material has only been found in California at the Benito Gem Mine where it was first discovered.

It has been correctly identified in Montana, Arkansas, Japan, and Australia although they formed under slightly different conditions and only grow large enough to be considered an accessory mineral.

Benitoite is a rare mineral found in very few locations including San Benito County, California, Japan and Arkansas.