Scapolite and Gonnardite on Calcite from Afghanistan

Contributed by: Simone Conti
minID: H8G-Y9H
Date: Dec 01st, 2024
Locality: Kokcha Valley, Badakhshan, Afghanistan (See on Mindat)
Size: 9 x 12 x 14 cm
Weight: 2 kg

Description:
Large scapolite crystals, possibly marialite, intermixed with calcite. The scapolite fluoresces bright yellow under longwave UV light, while the calcite red under midwave UV. The main scapolite crystal is about 4cm by 3cm. In between the scapolite crystals, there is some blue afghanite, or something else form the sodalite/cancrinite groups, hard to say. The afghanite fluoresces a dim orange under longwave UV and it is partially replaced by white gonnardite, in particular the crystal right in the middle. The gonnardite fluoresces blue. To complete the picture, there are some little groups of shiny pyrite crystals, in particular at the bottom. The fluorescence photo is taken under both longwave and midwave UV (and perhaps some shortwave too, who knows).

Fluorescence under midwave and longwave UV light.

Normal light.

Summary of luminescence responses:

Scapolite

• Fluorescence under Longwave (365nm LED) UV light: Yellow
• Fluorescence under Midwave (305nm LED) UV light: Yellow

• Fluorescence under Longwave (365nm LED) UV light: White

• Fluorescence under Longwave (365nm LED) UV light: Orange

• Fluorescence under Midwave (305nm LED) UV light: Red