Red Fluorescent Barite, Custer County, Colorado

Contributed by: Chris Clemens
minID: GEN-Y6J
Date: Apr 19th, 2026
Locality: Silver Cliff Mining District, Custer County, Colorado, USA (See on Mindat)
Size: 42 x 29 x 56 mm
Weight: 104 g

Description:
This specimen was collected from an old barite mine (unidentified) in the general location of Silver Cliff, Custer County, Colorado. This material shows a saturated orange fluorescent response under all UV wavelengths, as seen here, brightest under midwave UV (305 nm). This is an unusual fluorescent response for barite. Most fluorescent barite responds to UV with pale white, blue/white, or cream/white fluorescence, so these show atypical fluorescence.

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

Fluorescence under shortwave UV light.

Fluorescence under midwave UV light.

Fluorescence under longwave UV light.

Normal light.

Summary of luminescence responses:

Baryte (Mindat) (RRUFF)

• Fluorescence under Longwave (365nm LED) UV light: Red
• Fluorescence under Midwave (305nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Red
• Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Red