Fluorescent Mineral Database

A new secret project! Trying to create a nice Fluorescent Mineral Database (FMDB), which would be searchable by mineral, locality, and luminescence properties. Also making it easy for people to contribute with their own specimens!

Opal, Caliche, Aragonite - Zumwalt Mine, New Mexico

Contributed by: FMS Admin
Date: May 4th, 2026
Locality: Zumwalt prospect, South Peak (South Sisters Peak), Tres Hermanas Mining District, Tres Hermanas Mountains, Luna County, New Mexico, USA (See on Mindat)
Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches
Weight: 13.5 oz

Description:
This specimen is from the Zumwalt Mine in New Mexico. The UV photo shows green opal, orange caliche, and blue aragonite under SW.

Photographed with a 60mm macro lens at F32.

Originally posted by UV Studio on Nature's Rainbows in 2016.

Fluorescence under shortwave UV light.
Fluorescence under shortwave UV light.
Normal light.
Normal light.

Summary of luminescence responses:

Aragonite (Mindat) (RRUFF)

  • Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Blue
Caliche (Mindat) (RRUFF)
  • Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Orange
Opal-AN (Mindat) (RRUFF)
  • Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Green

FMDB Home Page
Submit a new specimen!
My Collection