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!

Orange Fluorescent Sphalerite, Balmat, New York

Contributed by: Chris Clemens
minID: 6DN-DYL
Date: Apr 23rd, 2026
Locality: Balmat, Fowler, St. Lawrence County, New York, USA (See on Mindat)
Size: 10.1 x 6.3 x 12 cm
Weight: 994 g

Description:
This specimen contains light colored veins and masses of sphalerite in a dark matrix, from Balmat, St. Lawrence Co., New York. The sphalerite fluoresces bright orange under longwave UV, and orange under both midwave and shortwave UV.

Originally posted by Chris Clemens on Nature's Rainbows in 2016.

Fluorescence under longwave UV light.
Fluorescence under longwave UV light.
Fluorescence under midwave UV light.
Fluorescence under midwave UV light.
Fluorescence under shortwave UV light.
Fluorescence under shortwave UV light.
Normal light.
Normal light.

Summary of luminescence responses:

Sphalerite (Mindat) (RRUFF)

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

FMDB Home Page
Submit a new specimen!
My Collection