Happy Holidays! Christmas Calcite from the Sterling Mine, Sterling Hill, New Jersey
Contributed by: Chris Clemens
minID: TYT-6N2
Date: Apr 23rd, 2026
Locality: Sterling Mine, Sterling Hill, Ogdensburg, Sussex County, New Jersey, USA (See on Mindat)
Size: 7.6 x 3.8 x 7.6 cm
Weight: 428 g
Description:
This is a classic specimen of "Christmas Calcite" from the Sterling Mine, Sterling Hill, Ogdensburg, New Jersey. This material contains brightly fluorescent willemite and calcite, with non-fluorescent franklinite and zincite. Under shortwave UV, the willemite shows a bright green response and the calcite fluoresces bright red. Perfect for getting you into the holiday spirit! This specimen shows an interesting multi-wave response, as it is also fluorescent under longwave UV, with the willemite showing a more subdued green fluorescence, and the calcite glows magenta/pink.
Originally posted by Chris Clemens on Nature's Rainbows in 2016.
Summary of luminescence responses:
Calcite (Mindat) (RRUFF)
- Fluorescence under Longwave (365nm LED) UV light: Pink
- Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Red
- Fluorescence under Longwave (365nm LED) UV light: Green
- Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Green