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This is a fluorescent, Pleistocene age (approx. 1-2 mya) Mercenaria permagna clam fossil from the famous Rucks' Pit site in Fort Drum, Florida. During the fossilization process of these clams, the calcium carbonate from the original shell material dissolved and recrystalized as beautiful, honey-colored, scalenohedral, calcite crystals within a few vugs on the shell. A mixture of coquina and fluorescent calcite covers the entire second side.
The resulting calcite is brightly fluorescent under all wavelengths of UV, and also displays phosphorescence. The exterior of the shell is encrusted with the coquina from which it was removed.
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.
