Calcite, Cap Blanc-Nez, France

Contributed by: FMS Admin
Date: Mar 7th, 2026
Locality: Cap Blanc-Nez, Escalles, Calais, Pas-de-Calais, Hauts-de-France, France (See on Mindat)

Description:
Very sharp calcite needles that fluoresce a strong greenish white with an equally strong phosphorescence. Clearly some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are present. Probably in the form of humic acids. Photos under SW-UV and white light.

From: Cap Blanc-Nez (Escalles), Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France.

Source: Fluorescent Minerals Workgroup MKA : http://fluo.mineralogie.be/

Originally posted by Axel Emmermann on Nature's Rainbows.

Fluorescence under shortwave UV light.

Normal light.

Summary of luminescence responses:

Calcite (Mindat) (RRUFF)

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