Calcite and Fluorite - Berta Quarry, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Contributed by: Daniel C. Montero
minID: 7MU-8FX
Date: May 5th, 2026
Locality: Berta quarry and mine, Sant Cugat del Vallès-El Papiol, Vallès Occidental-Baix Llobregat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain (See on Mindat)
Size: 10 x 4.5 x 12 cm

Description:
The Berta Quarry is an inactive quarry located on the northwest slope of the Sierra de Roques Blanques, in the municipalities of San Cugat and El Papiol in the city of Barcelona.

It is believed that the Iberians were the first to work these seams, although there is no record of the exploitation of the galena and silver mines until Roman times. From these centuries until the beginning of the 20th century, an extensive network of galleries and wells dedicated to the extraction of these minerals was created. In 1921 the farm was awarded Berta Cardoner Bouvard, who will give it the name that has survived to this day.

The Berta mine and quarry is considered the cradle of Catalan mineralogy and the most visited mineral deposit in Catalonia.

Fluorite activator, Eu²⁺ with Ce³⁺ peaks.
Ce³⁺ is also the activator along with Mn²⁺ for fluorescence in this calcite.

Originally posted by Daniel C Montero on Nature's Rainbows in 2021.

Fluorescence under midwave UV light.

Fluorescence under shortwave UV light.

Fluorescence under longwave UV light.

Normal light.

Summary of luminescence responses:

Calcite (Mindat) (RRUFF)

• Fluorescence under Midwave (305nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Red
• Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Red

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