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!

Brick Red Willemite var. Troostite and Calcite, Sterling Hill Mine, New Jersey

Contributed by: Chris Clemens
minID: 8QQ-9DP
Date: Apr 23rd, 2026
Locality: Sterling Mine, Sterling Hill, Ogdensburg, Sussex County, New Jersey, USA (See on Mindat)
Size: 52 x 51 x 54 mm
Weight: 174 g

Description:
This specimen, from the Sterling Hill Mine, New Jersey, is of mixed composition and contains brick-red willemite var. troostite, white and greenish/white willemite, white calcite, and black grains of franklinite. Under shortwave UV the troostite and willemite fluoresce bright green and the calcite shows a typical red response. The white willemite is also phosphorescent.

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

Fluorescence under shortwave UV light.
Fluorescence under shortwave UV light.
Normal light.
Normal light.
Fluorescence under shortwave UV light. Side 2
Fluorescence under shortwave UV light. Side 2
Normal light. Side 2.
Normal light. Side 2.

Summary of luminescence responses:

Willemite (Mindat) (RRUFF)

  • Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Green
  • Afterglow after exposure to Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Green

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