Scapolite Crystals – Sar-e-Sang, Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan

Contributed by: Michael Crawford
Date: Feb 26th, 2026
Locality: Unnamed meta-evaporite occurrence, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan (See on Mindat)
Size: 7.5 x 7.5 cm

Description:
This rock is from Sar-e-Sang, Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan. It has purple scapolite crystals that fluoresce red under shortwave UV light. The pinkish matrix next to the large crystal glows yellowish orange under longwave and shortwave light. It may be sodalite. The remaining matrix is gypsum that glows off-white under shortwave light. The white matrix can be easily scratched with a knife.

Fluorescence under shortwave UV light.

Normal light.

Summary of luminescence responses:

Scapolite (Mindat) (RRUFF)

• Fluorescence under Shortwave (255nm LED) UV light: Red

• Fluorescence under Shortwave (255nm LED) UV light: White