Sphalerite, Calcite, Willemite, and Hydrozincite - Miller Canyon, Arizona
Contributed by: FMS Admin
Date: May 26th, 2026
Locality: Miller Canyon, Cochise County, Arizona, USA (See on Mindat)
Description:
An interesting, but not exceptional rock from Miller Canyon. However, the sphalerite's phosphorescence is quite interesting and exhibits a flash that I had not seen before. Like calcite, the sphalerite seems to flash quite brightly when the longwave lamp is turned off. Unlike calcite, it continues to phosphoresce for quite a while.
Originally posted by Fire Viper on Nature's Rainbows in 2016.
Summary of luminescence responses:
Sphalerite (Mindat) (RRUFF)
- Afterglow after exposure to Longwave (365nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Orange