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!

Fluorescent/Phosphorescent Fluorite on Calcite, Pint's Quarry, Raymond, Iowa

Contributed by: Chris Clemens
Date: Apr 25th, 2026
Locality: Pint\'s Quarry, Raymond, Black Hawk County, Iowa, USA (See on Mindat)
Size: 8.3 x 5 x 9 cm
Weight: 388 g

Description:
Amber-colored, cubic fluorite crystals on a bed of scalenohedral calcite, on limestone matrix, from Pint's Quarry, Raymond, Black Hawk County, Iowa. This specimen shows a similar fluorescent response under all UV wavelengths- the fluorite cubes fluoresce bright off-white with bright and lasting phosphorescence. The calcite fluoresces a dim blue/purple, with zones of blue phosphorescence following shortwave UV. The limestone fluoresces a soft tan color. This specimen shows the brightest response under shortwave UV.

Pint's Quarry was a former dolomite/limestone quarry with workings more than 100 feet deep. Closed in the late 1990s, Pint's Quarry is now filled with water, and collecting is now prohibited.

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

Fluorescence under longwave UV light.
Fluorescence under longwave UV light.
Afterglow after exposure to longwave UV light.
Afterglow after exposure to longwave UV light.
Fluorescence under midwave UV light.
Fluorescence under midwave UV light.
Afterglow after exposure to midwave UV light.
Afterglow after exposure to midwave UV light.
Fluorescence under shortwave UV light.
Fluorescence under shortwave UV light.
Afterglow after exposure to shortwave UV light.
Afterglow after exposure to shortwave UV light.
Normal light.
Normal light.
Normal light. Closeup
Normal light. Closeup
Fluorescence under longwave UV light. Closeup
Fluorescence under longwave UV light. Closeup
Afterglow after exposure to longwave UV light. Closeup
Afterglow after exposure to longwave UV light. Closeup
Fluorescence under midwave UV light. Closeup.
Fluorescence under midwave UV light. Closeup.
Afterglow after exposure to midwave UV light. Closeup
Afterglow after exposure to midwave UV light. Closeup
Fluorescence under shortwave UV light. Closeup
Fluorescence under shortwave UV light. Closeup
Afterglow after exposure to shortwave UV light. Closeup
Afterglow after exposure to shortwave UV light. Closeup
Fluorescence under longwave UV light. Closeup 2
Fluorescence under longwave UV light. Closeup 2
Afterglow after exposure to longwave UV light. Closeup 2
Afterglow after exposure to longwave UV light. Closeup 2
Fluorescence under shortwave UV light. Closeup 2
Fluorescence under shortwave UV light. Closeup 2
Afterglow after exposure to shortwave UV light. Closeup 2
Afterglow after exposure to shortwave UV light. Closeup 2
Normal light. Closeup 2
Normal light. Closeup 2

Summary of luminescence responses:

Fluorite (Mindat) (RRUFF)

  • Fluorescence under Longwave (365nm LED) UV light: White
  • Afterglow after exposure to Longwave (365nm LED) UV light: Green
  • Fluorescence under Midwave (305nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: White
  • Afterglow after exposure to Midwave (305nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Blue
  • Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: White
  • Afterglow after exposure to Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Blue

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