Zunyite, an Uncommon Fluorescent Beauty
Contributed by: Chris Clemens
minID: Q8J-6V1
Date: Apr 21st, 2026
Locality: Big Bertha Mine, Middle Camp-Oro Fino Mining District, Dome Rock Mountains, La Paz County, Arizona, USA (See on Mindat)
Size: 36 x 35 x 55 mm
Weight: 73 g
Description:
Zunyite is an uncommon aluminum sorosilicate mineral. The small brown octahedral crystals of zunyite occur in a matrix of light-colored quartz. The zunyite crystals show deep red fluorescence under shortwave UV (254nm). There are also grains of a second, unidentified fluorescent mineral present, that show a bright orange response. Zunyite gets its name from the type location that it was first discovered at- The Zuni mine in San Juan County, Colorado. This example is from a classic location for this material- the Big Bertha mine in La Paz County, Arizona.
Originally posted by Chris Clemens on Nature's Rainbows in 2019.
Summary of luminescence responses:
Zunyite (Mindat) (RRUFF)
- Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Red