Spectacular 3-Color Rock from Miller Canyon, Arizona
Contributed by: Chris Clemens
Date: May 3rd, 2026
Locality: Nelly James Mine, Miller Canyon, Miller Peak, Cochise County, Arizona, USA (See on Mindat)
Size: 45 x 43 x 95 mm
Description:
Miller Canyon is located in the rugged terrain of the Huachuca Mountains, in Cochise County, Arizona. Near the top of Miller Canyon lies the Nelly James Mine. The hike to the Nelly James is 3 miles long and requires a vertical elevation gain of 1500 feet over rough and challenging terrain. Being located close to the Mexican border, Miller Canyon provides a route to illegal immigration and drug smuggling into the United States, so it presents a real possibility of risky encounters on the trail. Despite the dangers, the Nelly James Mine has been a productive source of beautiful, multi-colored fluorescent minerals.
This specimen provides an excellent example of some of the bright and colorful fluorescent minerals found at the Nelly James Mine in Miller Canyon. Brightly fluorescent under shortwave UV, this specimen contains green, fluorescent willemite, blue fluorescing hydrozincite and red fluorescent calcite. The willemite and calcite are also weakly phosphorescent. This specimen was collected by Ken and Gail Hennig in 2016.
Originally posted by Chris Clemens on Nature's Rainbows in 2018.
Summary of luminescence responses:
Calcite (Mindat) (RRUFF)
- Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Red
- Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Blue
- Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Green
- Afterglow after exposure to Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Green