Quartz Crystals on Calcite - San Antonio Mine, Chihuahua, Mexico
Small delicate crystals of bright green fluorescing quartz are peppered around a matrix of calcite on this striking specimen.
"Red" Sodalite (Hackmanite) - Deeply Tenebrescent Greenland Mineral
Red sodalite is named for the color it takes on when exposed to sunlight; it is nicely tenebrescent under longwave UV. Under shortwave UV the color deepens, in seconds, to almost black in some areas.
A Short Study on Rare Occurrences of Apatite from the Ilimaussaq Complex, Greenland
Rarest of the rare from Greenland - apatite has only been observed in a handful of pieces over the decade+ we have been exploring Greenland. Blue apatite crystals fluorescing under UV.
Crack that Rock! (You never know what's inside)
Crack it! This has been our mantra for years, told to new folks we've guided into the mountains of Greenland. For ten years, we guided groups of 5 to 7 people into the mountains and put them on the best collecting spots in the Ilimaussaq Complex.
Sodalite (Hackmanite), Tugtupite, Chkalovite, Analcime(?) - Ilimaussaq Complex, Greenland
This material is striking. The sodalite appears as crystal blebs in matrix, with a few spots of tugtupite encircling a bright white chkalovite.
Catching the Afterglow - Taking Pictures of Phosphorescent Minerals
Many minerals exhibit an afterglow or phosphorescence when the UV light is turned off. This glow can last for milliseconds or hours depending on the mineral. Some are very bright while others are barely perceptible.
Greenland Sodalite Hackmanite - Quick Change Artist, Tenebrescent Champion
Tenebrescence of Greenland fluorescent sodalite is amazing. This is a piece of a deeply tenebrescent sodalite. Note how when the shortwave light is first turned on, the sodalite fluoresces a bright orange but almost immediately shifts to a burnt orange as the tenebrescence sets in.
Willemite, Calcite, Fluorite from the Garpenberg Mine in Sweden
The Garpenberg mine is located in Bergslagen, a very old mining area in the southern part of Sweden.
The mine is very active today and is one of Europe's most progressive underground mining operations. Collecting is not possible, and the few specimens that reach collector's hands are highly prized. The mineralogy is quite similar to that of Franklin NJ.
Common Questions About Fluorescent Minerals – An FAQ Guide
Fluorescent minerals can be fascinating to those who discover these hidden treasures and they often raise various questions. Here are some common questions related to fluorescent minerals.
MINERAL OF THE MONTH: FLUORITE
Fluorite often times has bright fluorescence under ultraviolet light, revealing bright colors that range from purples and blues to brilliant greens and pinks. Anyone with a fluorescent mineral collection probably has a piece of fluorescent blue fluorite, the most common fluorescent color for this mineral.
Long Lake Zinc Mine - Ontario Canada
The sun was slowly setting so we made dinner and relaxed a while (amazing how slowly the sun sets when you're waiting for it). Once it got dark collected started in earnest. The first thing you notice is the bright blue hydrozincite everywhere on red calcite. All of the small rocks glow. We proceeded to check out the large boulders laying around on the surface and quickly determined that dozens of prior collectors had done the same. That's why they're still lying around.
Mineral of the Month: Aragonite
As your trusted source for fluorescent minerals, we've chosen aragonite as the current "Mineral of the Month" to share with you.