Two-Color Calcite and Willemite from a New Find- The Night Hawk Mine in New Mexico
Contributed by: Chris Clemens
Date: Apr 21st, 2026
Locality: Night Hawk Group, North Magdalena Mining District, Socorro County, New Mexico, USA (See on Mindat)
Size: 44 x 30 x 58 mm
Weight: 82 g
Description:
This exceptional two-color fluorescent specimen was collected by notable New Mexico collectors Ken and Gail Hennig from a new find in Socorro County, New Mexico. This rock consists of blue/green, fluorescent willemite and red fluorescent calcite with other non-fluorescent accessory minerals including vanadinite and galena. The willemite and calcite fluoresce brightly under shortwave UV only, and the willemite shows lasting phosphorescence after the lamp is turned off.
Ken and Gail collected this piece from the Night Hawk mine, a location not previously known for producing fluorescent minerals. Located near Magdalena, Socorro County, New Mexico, the Night Hawk mine is part of a larger group of mines collectively known as the Jack Frost Group, or simply as the Jack Frost mine. Production at the Jack Frost mine began in 1925 and the primary commodities were lead, zinc, silver and copper. The mine has been closed for decades and was just recently found to be a productive source for fluorescent minerals by Ken and Gail.
Originally posted by Chris Clemens on Nature's Rainbows in 2018.
Summary of luminescence responses:
Calcite (Mindat) (RRUFF)
- Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Red
- Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Green