Green Phosphorescent Fluorite from a Limited Occurrence in Bedford, Indiana
Contributed by: Chris Clemens
minID: Y43-89E
Date: May 20th, 2026
Locality: State Route 37 roadcut, Bedford, Lawrence County, Indiana, USA (See on Mindat)
Description:
Cubic yellow fluorite crystals on limestone matrix, collected in 2016 from a roadcut in Bedford, Indiana. This fluorite shows a very interesting fluorescent/phosphorescent response. Under shortwave UV, the cubes fluoresce a bright off-white color, with white phosphorescence. The fluorescent response under longwave UV is a similar bright white, but with green phosphorescence. The largest crystal in these photographs (right of center) measures approximately 6.5 x 5.0 mm.
The fluorite occurrence from which this specimen was collected was confined to a relatively limited area of about 40 yards in length, between knee and head height. Other fluorite specimens were found at this location that showed similar fluorescence, but a markedly different phosphorescent response- blue after shortwave UV, but with no visible phosphorescence after longwave UV.
Originally posted by Chris Clemens on Nature's Rainbows in 2016.
Summary of luminescence responses:
Fluorite (Mindat) (RRUFF)
- Fluorescence under Longwave (365nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: White
- Afterglow after exposure to Longwave (365nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Green
- Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: White
- Afterglow after exposure to Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: White