Scheelite and Muscovite, Mt. Xuebaoding, Sichuan, China

Contributed by: Chris Clemens
minID: 2XF-287
Date: Apr 17th, 2026
Locality: Mount Xuebaoding, Songpan Co., Ngawa Autonomous Prefecture (Aba Autonomous Prefecture), Sichuan, China (See on Mindat)
Size: 8.9 x 8 x 10 cm
Weight: 591 g

Description:
Large golden-orange pseudo-octahedral scheelite crystal on a matrix of muscovite plates. This is a well-trimmed specimen with little to no damage. From Mt Xuebaoding, Pingwu Co., Sichuan, China; likely collected from the Pukouliang Mine. Under shortwave UV (254 nm), the scheelite crystal shows bright blue/white fluorescence. Tungsten-containing scheelite (calcium tungstate) forms a solid solution series with molybdenum-containing powellite (calcium molybdate). As the molybdenum content increases, the fluorescent response becomes more yellow. Based on the very bright, pure blue/white fluorescence of this specimen, it is likely nearly pure end member scheelite with little to no molybdenum content.

Originally posted by Chris Clemens on Nature's Rainbows in 2020.

Fluorescence under shortwave UV light.

Normal light.

Summary of luminescence responses:

Scheelite (Mindat) (RRUFF)

• Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Blue