Rare Red Fluorescent Fluorite - Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Mexico
Contributed by: Chris Clemens
minID: RV3-Q1U
Date: Apr 27th, 2026
Locality: Ojuela Mine, Mapimí, Mapimí Municipality, Durango, Mexico (See on Mindat)
Size: 6.8 x 3.2 x 10.3 cm
Weight: 150 g
Description:
A small percentage of purple fluorite from the Ojuela Mine in Mapimi, Durango, Mexico, shows a beautiful, rich, red fluorescence under UV. This is a very rare and unusual fluorescent response for fluorite, as blue, purple and white are the most common colors of fluorescence seen in this mineral. This is a spectacular example of red fluorescent fluorite from Mapimi, Mexico. Under visible light, soft purple cubes of gemmy fluorite are seen on a red/brown colored matrix. Under longwave UV the fluorite fluoresces a beautiful cherry red color, and under midwave UV the fluorite shows a pink/red response. Interestingly, the fluorite also shows dimmer purple fluorescence under shortwave UV.
Although the mechanism of red fluorescence is poorly understood in these fluorites from Mapimi, it is thought to be in part due to an interplay between trace amounts of the elements europium, oxygen and samarium substituting for calcium in the fluorite crystal structure.
Originally posted by Chris Clemens on Nature's Rainbows in 2017.
Summary of luminescence responses:
Fluorite (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: Purple