Schalenblende - Raibl Mines, Tarvisio, Italy

Contributed by: Chris Clemens
minID: LRR-EEK
Date: May 22nd, 2026
Locality: Raibl Mines, Cave del Predil, Tarvisio, Udine Province, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy (See on Mindat)
Size: 80 x 48 x 111 mm
Weight: 405 g

Description:
Specimen of fluorescent schalenblende from the Raibl Mines, Cave del Predil, Tarvisio, Udine Province, Friulli Benezia Giulia, Italy, consisting of swirling bands of orange, fluorescent sphalerite and cream/white, fluorescent dolomite, with minor non-fluorescent galena. As shown in the photographs below, this specimen shows its best response under longwave UV but is also weakly fluorescent under shortwave 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.

This specimen was featured on the cover of the 2020 issue of the Journal of the Fluorescent Mineral Society (vol. 38).

Summary of luminescence responses:

Dolomite (Mindat) (RRUFF)

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

• Fluorescence under Longwave (365nm LED) UV light: Orange
• Afterglow after exposure to Longwave (365nm LED) UV light: Orange