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!

Cryolithionite - Zapot Pegmatite, Mineral County, Nevada

Contributed by: Chris Clemens
Date: Apr 26th, 2026
Locality: Zapot Pegmatite, Gillis Range, Fitting Mining District, Mineral County, Nevada, USA (See on Mindat)
Size: 5.9 x 2.5 x 8.3 cm
Weight: 112 g

Description:
Cryolithionite is a rare lithium-containing mineral that occurs at only a few locations worldwide. This specimen was collected from the Zapot pegmatite, located in the Gillis Range, approximately 15 miles northeast of Hawthorne, Nevada. Under visible light, this specimen has a chalky-white to translucent grey appearance. It is moderately fluorescent under shortwave UV, showing a ghostly green/blue response with limited areas of white phosphorescence (possibly caused by a second, unidentified mineral). Under longwave UV, this specimen fluoresces a dimmer blue/grey color.

Originally posted by Chris Clemens on Nature's Rainbows in 2017.

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

Summary of luminescence responses:

Cryolithionite (Mindat) (RRUFF)

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

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