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!

: Fluorescent Willemite and Dolomite from the Aroona Zinc Mine, Flinders Ranges, South Australia

Contributed by: Chris Clemens
minID: NPT-5MC
Date: Apr 17th, 2026
Locality: Aroona Mine, Leigh Creek, Pastoral Unincorporated Area, South Australia, Australia (See on Mindat)
Size: 6.7 x 5.2 x 8.9 cm
Weight: 370 g

Description:
This beautiful fluorescent rock from the Aroona Zinc Mine, Leigh Creek, Flinders Ranges, South Australia features willemite and dolomite. The Aroona Mine is located approximately 11 km to the NW of the better known Puttapa Zinc Mine, another notable location for fluorescent Australian minerals. Under short wave UV (254 nm), blue and green, fluorescent willemite and red dolomite dominate this specimen. The willemite shows bright and lasting blue and green phosphorescence/afterglow following exposure to short wave UV (254 nm).

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

Fluorescence under shortwave UV light.
Fluorescence under shortwave UV light.
Afterglow after exposure to shortwave UV light.
Afterglow after exposure to shortwave UV light.
Normal light.
Normal light.

Summary of luminescence responses:

Willemite (Mindat) (RRUFF)

  • Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Green
  • Afterglow after exposure to Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Green
Dolomite (Mindat) (RRUFF)
  • Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Red

FMDB Home Page
Submit a new specimen!
My Collection