Phosphorescent Limestone - Mount Shaul, Israel (yes, Israel)
Contributed by: FMS Admin
Date: May 9th, 2026
Locality: Gilboa Regional Council, Jezreel Subdistrict, Northern District, Israel (See on Mindat)
Size: 6 x 7 inches
Description:
Israel is not known for its fluorescent rocks. Or really any rocks at all, as laws apparently prevent collecting samples to sell (with one, notable, non-fluorescent exception).
On a recent business trip to Israel, I was determined to find something that fluoresced while I was there; unfortunately, I had very little time to collect. After a long day of meetings and before dinner, our group headed up Mt Shaul to take in the spectacular views of the Jezreel Valley, Nazareth, and even the distant Jordan River Valley. Spectacular place.
Armed with a Convoy (a longwave LED flashlight), I couldn't resist checking out the limestone rocks strewn about the mountain. Sure enough, some fluoresced a bright pale bluish white. What surprised me though, was the strong, almost lemon-yellow afterglow (phosphorescence). So bright, the afterglow could be easily seen in the twilight, and the phenomena amazed my friends (they still think I was nuts for hunting rocks, though).
Shown here, is a freshly cracked face of the material.
Importantly, I think there is a lot of potential for fluorescents in the country. The Henkel Journal lists fluorescent calcites in the Judean Hills outside of Jerusalem, as well as fluorescent calcites in the Ramon "crater" area. Unfortunately, I did not have time to check out those areas. I did find some beautiful, three color, head sized, limestone rocks during my visit. Unfortunately, they were part of a retaining wall at my hotel--the quarry, however, certainly would provide some stunning specimens.
Originally posted by Fire Viper on Nature's Rainbows in 2018.
Summary of luminescence responses:
Calcite (Mindat) (RRUFF)
- Fluorescence under Longwave (365nm LED) UV light: White
- Afterglow after exposure to Longwave (365nm LED) UV light: Yellow