Fluorescent Poker Chip Calcite from Russia

Contributed by: Chris Clemens
Date: Apr 23rd, 2026
Locality: Primorsky Krai, Russia (See on Mindat)
Size: 10 x 6.6 x 12 cm
Weight: 836 g

Description:
This is a large specimen of milky white to light pink, stacked, poker chip calcite crystals on a bed of massive pink calcite, from Russia. This specimen shows a beautiful, saturated, red/orange, fluorescent response under all UV wavelengths, but shows subtle variations in fluorescent zoning and intensity dependent on the wavelength. The brightest fluorescence is seen under midwave UV.

Note: The exact location for this specimen is unknown. The mindat locality is a best guess for a location in Russia that is a source for many calcite specimens.

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

Fluorescence under midwave UV light.

Fluorescence under shortwave UV light.

Fluorescence under longwave UV light.

Normal light.

Summary of luminescence responses:

Calcite (Mindat) (RRUFF)

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