Multi-Wavelength Aragonite - Agrigento, Sicily, Italy

Contributed by: Chris Clemens
minID: QQP-RE7
Date: May 21st, 2026
Locality: Agrigento, Agrigento Province, Sicily, Italy (See on Mindat)
Size: 9 x 7 x 14 cm
Weight: 743 g

Description:
The sulfur mines of the Agrigento region of Sicily, Italy are notable for the production of well-formed clusters, plates and groupings of beautifully fluorescent and phosphorescent aragonite specimens, such as the one featured here. This specimen consists of a cluster of pseudohexagonal aragonite crystals that show a spectacular multi-wavelength response under UV.

Originally posted by Chris Clemens on Nature's Rainbows in 2021.

Fluorescence under longwave UV light.

Afterglow after exposure to longwave UV light.

Fluorescence under shortwave UV light.

Afterglow after exposure to shortwave UV light.

Normal light.

Summary of luminescence responses:

Aragonite (Mindat) (RRUFF)

• Fluorescence under Longwave (365nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Pink
• Afterglow after exposure to Longwave (365nm LED) UV light: Green
• Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: White
• Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Blue