Fluorapatite, Harding Mine, Taos County, New Mexico

Contributed by: Chris Clemens
Date: Apr 24th, 2026
Locality: Harding Mine, Picuris District, Taos County, New Mexico, USA (See on Mindat)
Size: 36.5 x 27.1 x 58.8 mm
Weight: 72 g

Description:
Blue green fluorapatite in a Harding pegmatite groundmass consisting of quartz and muscovite schist. From the Harding Mine, near Dixon, Taos County, New Mexico. The fluorapatite shows a bright yellow, fluorescent response under shortwave UV, and pale yellow under longwave UV.

A former beryllium/lithium mine, the Harding Mine is now owned by the University of New Mexico, and collecting is by permit only.

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

Fluorescence under shortwave UV light.

Fluorescence under longwave UV light.

Normal light.

Summary of luminescence responses:

Fluorapatite (Mindat) (RRUFF)

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