Celestine on Aragonite from Serradifalco, Sicily, Italy

Contributed by: Simone Conti
minID: 16N-1RP
Date: Dec 8th, 2024
Locality: Serradifalco, Caltanissetta Province, Sicily, Italy (See on Mindat)
Size: 5 x 4 x 5 cm
Weight: 96.2 g

Description:
Aesthetic crystals of celestine on a crystalized aragonite base. Under longwave UV light the celestine fluoresces ghostly blue, while the aragonite fluoresces its typical bright pink/red. Unfortunately, the base was roughly trimmed, leaving it noticeably scarred. Interesting is also the locality: obviously a Sicilian piece, but coming from Serradifalco, a lesser known sulphur mines locality.

Normal light.

Fluorescence under longwave UV light.

Original label.

Summary of luminescence responses:

Celestine (Mindat) (RRUFF)

• Fluorescence under Longwave (365nm LED) UV light: White
• Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: White

• Fluorescence under Longwave (365nm LED) UV light: Pink
• Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: White