Fluorescent Mineral Database

A new secret project! Trying to create a nice Fluorescent Mineral Database (FMDB), which would be searchable by mineral, locality, and luminescence properties. Also making it easy for people to contribute with their own specimens!

Cuspidine from the Franklin Mine, NJ, USA

Contributed by: Simone Conti
minID: T9H-RMR
Date: Jun 2nd, 2025
Locality: Franklin Mine, Franklin, Sussex County, New Jersey, USA (See on Mindat)
Size: 9 x 6 x 6 cm
Weight: 838.7 g

Description:
A nice display of cuspidine on a matrix of calcite, willemite, and black franklinite. Under shortwave UV light the calcite and willemite show their typical red and green fluorescence, while the cuspidine fluoresces “mustard yellow”, as it is often described. Interestingly, under midwave UV the cupidine also shows a pinkish fluorescence.

Fluorescence under shortwave UV light.
Fluorescence under shortwave UV light.
Fluorescence under midwave UV light.
Fluorescence under midwave UV light.
Normal light.
Normal light.

Summary of luminescence responses:

Cuspidine (Mindat) (RRUFF)

  • Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Orange
  • Fluorescence under Midwave (305nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Yellow
Willemite (Mindat) (RRUFF)
  • Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Green
Calcite (Mindat) (RRUFF)
  • Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Red

FMDB Home Page
Submit a new specimen!
My Collection