Calcite and Aragonite - Helvetia Mine, Arizona
Contributed by: FMS Admin
Date: May 24th, 2026
Locality: Helvetia-Rosemont Mining District, Pima County, Arizona, USA (See on Mindat)
Size: 5 x 6 inches
Description:
Patterns of bright red fluorescing calcite with pockets of aragonite make these pieces interesting and eye-catching. Also, there appears to be two types of calcite, as one seems to fluoresce a burnt orange in midwave, while the other remains red. A few dots of hyalite can be found as well.
Originally posted by Fire Viper on Nature's Rainbows in 2017.
Summary of luminescence responses:
Calcite (Mindat) (RRUFF)
- Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Red
- Fluorescence under Midwave (305nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Red
- Fluorescence under Midwave (305nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Orange