Fluorite - Rampgill Mine, Cumbria, England
Contributed by: Chris Clemens
minID: AX7-HC7
Date: May 1st, 2026
Locality: Rampgill Mine, Nenthead, Alston Moor, Eden, Cumbria, England, UK (See on Mindat)
Size: 34 x 20 x 36 mm
Weight: 26 g
Description:
Numerous mines in Northern England have produced beautiful fluorite specimens. Of interest to fluorescent mineral collectors is that some of these fluorites are among the brightest fluorescing examples of the species found anywhere. The bright blue fluorescence of these English fluorites is activated by the presence of trace amounts of the rare earth element europium in the fluorite crystal structure. The Rampgill Mine, located in Nenthead, Cumbria, England, is a former lead mine that has produced brightly fluorescent specimens of fluorite. The example shown here is from the Rampgill Mine, and shows a bright blue, fluorescent response that is typical for many Northern England fluorites. As is the case with most, if not all English fluorites, this specimen fluoresces most brightly under longwave UV.
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: Blue
- Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Blue