Diopside and Calcite - Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang, Badakhshan, Afghanistan
Contributed by: Chris Clemens
minID: D1V-N76
Date: May 23rd, 2026
Locality: Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang River, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan (See on Mindat)
Size: 8.3 x 7.6 x 10.5 cm
Weight: 602 g
Description:
This exceptional fluorescent specimen consists of large, blocky, pale yellow green diopside crystals encrusted upon and embedded within a calcite-marble matrix. From the Pitwak Mine, Sar-e-Sang, Koksha Valley, Badakhshan, Afghanistan. As shown in the photographs below, this piece displays well under all UV wavelengths. This specimen is at its best under midwave UV (302 nm). The diopside fluoresces pale blue/white and the marble matrix shows a contrasting vivid pink response. Under shortwave UV (254 nm) the diopside again fluoresces pale blue/white while the calcite-marble matrix shows a pastel pink response. Under longwave UV (365 nm) the diopside shows a bright blue/white response and the calcite-marble matrix fluoresces a subdued pastel purple color.
Originally posted by Chris Clemens on Nature's Rainbows in 2022.
Summary of luminescence responses:
Calcite (Mindat) (RRUFF)
- Fluorescence under Midwave (305nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Pink
- Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Pink
- Fluorescence under Longwave (365nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: White
- Fluorescence under Midwave (305nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: White
- Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: White