Fluorescent Multi-Wave Calcite - Elmwood Mine

Contributed by: Chris Clemens
minID: XK5-1CX
Date: May 1st, 2026
Locality: Elmwood Mine, Carthage, Smith County, Tennessee, USA (See on Mindat)
Size: 38 x 29 x 42 mm
Weight: 64 g

Description:
Every so often, a common location will produce a very uncommon specimen. The Elmwood mine, a zinc mine located in Carthage, Tennessee, is best known to collectors for producing beautiful display quality golden calcite and purple fluorite specimens in combination with metallic sphalerite. These specimens typically show little or no fluorescence under UV, so the Elmwood Mine is not generally regarded as a source of fluorescent minerals. The specimen presented here is an exception and shows that the Elmwood can occasionally produce high quality fluorescent minerals.

This specimen consists of small honey-colored scalenohedral calcite crystals on a base of tan barite and minor red sphalerite. The calcite shows a beautiful multi-colored, multi-wave fluorescent response under UV. The fluorescent response is moderate under shortwave UV (254nm), brighter under longwave (365nm), and is brightest under midwave (305nm).

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