Fluorite and Calcite from Russia

Contributed by: Michael Crawford
minID: FYH-3RU
Date: Jul 11th, 2025
Locality: Nikolaevskiy Mine, Dalnegorsk, Dalnegorsk Urban District, Primorsky Krai, Russia (See on Mindat)
Size: 11 x 14 cm

Description:
Large mint green fluorite cube in a matrix of pink manganoan calcite crystals from Nikolaevskiy Mine, Dalnegorsk, Primorsky Krai, Russia. Calcite has the brightest fluorescence under midwave UV illumination. The fluorite is brightest under longwave illumination. Manganese activates the red calcite fluorescence and europium activates the blue fluorescence of fluorite. Both minerals fluoresce in the ultraviolet region due to cerium activation. The shortwave emission spectra of both minerals have two sharp peaks due to the cerium activation. For fluorite the peaks are at 320 nm and 339 nm and for calcite they are at 339 nm and 365 nm. These differences are seen the false color images of the ultraviolet fluorescence. The fluorite appears green and the calcite is yellow-brown.

Fluorescence under midwave UV light.

Fluorescence under longwave UV light.

Fluorescence under shortwave UV light.

Normal light.

Emission Spectra

Ultraviolet fluorescence under shortwave UV light. False color image of 375 nm, 350 nm, and 310 nm bandpass images.

Summary of luminescence responses:

Fluorite (Mindat) (RRUFF)

• Fluorescence under Longwave (365nm LED) UV light: Blue
• Fluorescence under Midwave (305nm LED) UV light: Blue
• Fluorescence under Shortwave (255nm LED) UV light: Blue

• Fluorescence under Longwave (365nm LED) UV light: Red
• Fluorescence under Midwave (305nm LED) UV light: Red
• Fluorescence under Shortwave (255nm LED) UV light: Red