Bright and Colorful Multi-Wave Afghanite Specimen from Badakhshan, Afghanistan
Contributed by: Chris Clemens
minID: 4VD-H5U
Date: Apr 16th, 2026
Locality: Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan (See on Mindat)
Size: 5.8 x 4.5 x 8.7 cm
Weight: 257 g
Description:
Here is a specimen from Sar-e-Sang, Koksha Valley, Badakhshan, Afghanistan that displays well under both UV and visible light. When viewed under visible light, sky blue afghanite crystals are seen sitting on a druse of light colored diopside microcrystals, with pale yellow plates of phlogopite mica. Brassy accents are provided by small pyrite crystals.
As shown in the photographs below, this specimen shows a bright, multi-colored, multi-wavelength fluorescent response under UV.
Originally posted by Chris Clemens on Nature's Rainbows in 2022.
Summary of luminescence responses:
Afghanite (Mindat) (RRUFF)
- Fluorescence under Longwave (365nm LED) UV light: Orange
- Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: White
- Fluorescence under Midwave (305nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Red
- Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Red
- Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Yellow