Canadian Lightning Storm- Aragonite Bolts from the Long Lake Zinc Mine

Contributed by: Chris Clemens
minID: C83-53H
Date: Apr 23rd, 2026
Locality: Long Lake Zinc Mine (Richardson Zinc Mine; Lynx Mine), Olden Township, Frontenac County, Ontario, Canada (See on Mindat)
Size: 8 x 5.5 x 11 cm
Weight: 610 g

Description:
Aragonite "lightning bolts" fluoresce bright blue/white on this spectacular specimen from the Long Lake Zinc Mine, Olden Township, near Parham, Frontenac Co., Ontario, Canada. Under visible light, this piece looks like an unimpressive chunk of white marble, but under longwave UV a storm of blue, white bolts dominate the display. This specimen is at its best however, when viewed under shortwave UV, showing not only the bright blue/white aragonite lightning bolts, but also a beautiful mix of pink/orange, fluorescent calcite, spots of yellow glowing chondrodite and blue dots of diopside.

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