Calcite on Barite - Lockport, Kentucky

Contributed by: Chris Clemens
Date: Apr 30th, 2026
Locality: Lockport vein, Lockport, Henry County, Kentucky, USA (See on Mindat)
Size: 11.9 x 3.2 x 13.5 cm
Weight: 567 g

Description:
This is an interesting fluorescent specimen from a location previously unknown for producing fluorescent minerals- the Lockport Vein, Lockport, Henry County, Kentucky. Collected by Alan Goldstein, this piece consists of light honey-colored scalenohedral calcite crystals on a bed of white barite crystals with several dark sphalerite crystals. Under all UV wavelengths the calcite fluoresces orange/yellow, an uncommon color of fluorescence for calcite. The barite is only dimly fluorescent.

The Lockport vein is a low temperature hydrothermal vein, located in north central Kentucky.

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

Fluorescence under longwave UV light.

Fluorescence under midwave UV light.

Fluorescence under shortwave UV light.

Normal light.

Fluorescence under midwave UV light. Closeup 1

Normal light. Closeup 1

Fluorescence under midwave UV light. Closeup 2

Normal light. Closeup 2

Summary of luminescence responses:

Calcite (Mindat) (RRUFF)

• Fluorescence under Longwave (365nm LED) UV light: Yellow
• Fluorescence under Midwave (305nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Yellow
• Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Yellow