Fluorescent Calcite, Fluorite, Willemite - Purple Passion Mine, Arizona

Contributed by: Chris Clemens
Date: Apr 27th, 2026
Locality: Purple Passion Mine, Morgan Butte, Big Bug Mining District, Bradshaw Mountains (Bradshaw Range), Yavapai County, Arizona, USA (See on Mindat)
Size: 6.7 x 4.1 x 10.8 cm
Weight: 292 g

Description:
This is a striking specimen from the Purple Passion Mine, Wickenburg area, Yavapai County, Arizona, consisting of coarsely crystalline rock that fluoresces brightly under all three UV wavelengths. The primary component minerals in this piece are calcite, fluorite, and willemite. Under shortwave UV the calcite fluoresces bright red, the fluorite dim blue/purple, and the willemite bright green/white with lasting phosphorescence. When the wavelength is switched to mid wave UV, the calcite again glows bright red and the fluorite comes alive with bright blue fluorescence. Under longwave UV only the fluorite responds with a saturated deep blue fluorescence. When exposed to all three wavelengths simultaneously (fullwave UV), the resulting bright, multi-colored, fluorescent response is quite striking.

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