Sphalerite on Quartz

Contributed by: Mark Cole
Date: Mar 11th, 2026
Locality: Chenzhou, Hunan, China (See on Mindat)
Size: 3.5 x 1.5 x 3.5 inches
Weight: 13.9 oz

Description:
Brightly fluorescent sphalerite crystals on a matrix of pyrite and galena, with quartz crystals. Locality given as Chenzhou China but that is really just a big mineral market, so could be from anywhere in China. Very phosphorescent (2nd picture).

Originally posted by Mark Cole on Nature's Rainbows.

Fluorescence under longwave UV light.

Afterglow after exposure to longwave UV light.

Normal light.

Normal light. Closeup

Summary of luminescence responses:

Sphalerite (Mindat) (RRUFF)

• Fluorescence under Longwave (365nm LED) UV light: Yellow
• Afterglow after exposure to Longwave (365nm LED) UV light: Yellow