Fluorescent Albite and Scapolite - Laurentians, Quebec, Canada
Contributed by: FMS Admin
Date: May 16th, 2026
Locality: Québec, Canada (See on Mindat)
Size: 10.3 x 7.5 x 11.9 cm
Description:
Shown here is a nice cabinet-sized specimen of calc-silicate skarn rock containing scapolite (typical bright yellow response under LW), albite (purple SW, purplish-blue MW and blue LW), as well as non-fluorescent minerals (quartz, diopside, pyrite, titanite, etc.). Since I am not the discoverer of this site, I cannot reveal the exact locality; anyways, it is currently mostly depleted. This sample was given to me by the person who found this spot.
The albite is not the brightest I have seen, but still just bright enough to be put on the upper "step" of a well-lit display. Under shortwave UV, the scapolite is weaker than usual under SW, but the lovely purple glow of the albite is pretty nice. Under midwave UV, the scapolite is somehow brighter, but still weaker than usual. The albite shifts to a bluer color under longer UV wavelengths. I have no idea what is the greenish fluorescing mineral; the discoverer of this locality said he planned to have it analyzed someday. I will update the post when I have more information. Under LW, the albite glows blue; it is weakest under LW, brightest SW. The scapolite shows the typical fiercely bright yellow LW response, and the greenish unidentified mineral is at its best under LW.
Originally posted by Frédéric Messier Leroux on Nature's Rainbows in 2021.
Summary of luminescence responses:
Albite (Mindat) (RRUFF)
- Fluorescence under Shortwave (255nm LED) UV light: Violet
- Fluorescence under Midwave (305nm LED) UV light: Violet
- Fluorescence under Longwave (365nm LED) UV light: Yellow
- Fluorescence under Midwave (305nm LED) UV light: Yellow