Fluorite, Pugh Quarry, Custar, Ohio

Contributed by: Chris Clemens
minID: MVR-2RN
Date: Apr 18th, 2026
Locality: Pugh Quarry, Wood County, Ohio, USA (See on Mindat)
Size: 61 x 34 x 64 mm
Weight: 150 g

Description:
The Pugh Quarry is a large open pit limestone operation located near the town of Custar, in Wood County, northwest Ohio, and has been a notable source for well-formed and aesthetic, amber to golden colored calcite crystal specimens. Less commonly, fluorite specimens have also been found at this location. The example shown here features transparent, light tan cubes of fluorite with darker, root beer brown centers, on a grey colored fossiliferous limestone matrix. As seen in the photographs below, the fluorite is brightly fluorescent under UV and shows strong phosphorescence.

This fluorite cluster shows an interesting phenomenon following exposure to longwave UV (365 nm). Immediately after shutting off the UV source, the resulting phosphorescence/afterglow is distinctly pale yellow. After waiting approx. 5 seconds after shutting off the longwave UV source the afterglow color shifts from yellow to green.

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