Italian Aragonite, Multi-Wavelength Response – Sicily

Contributed by: Mark Cole
Date: Mar 12th, 2026
Locality: La Grasta Mine (Grasta Mine), Caltanissetta, Caltanissetta Province, Sicily, Italy (See on Mindat)
Size: 2.75 x 1 x 3 inches
Weight: 5.8 oz

Description:
The La Grasta mine in Sicily operated from the mid-1800 until 1930. Workers carried ore out on their backs. In the 60's the mine was reopened, renovated and worked until 1987. The La Grasta underground tunnels were abandoned in 1987, and all entrances were closed at the end of the 90's. Today, the mine area is fenced with no public access. Specimens of aragonite from many areas around Sicily exhibit this multi-color fluorescence and amazing phosphorescence.

Originally posted by Mark Cole on Nature's Rainbows.

Fluorescence under shortwave UV light.

Afterglow after exposure to shortwave UV light.

Fluorescence under midwave UV light.

Fluorescence under longwave UV light.

Normal light.

Summary of luminescence responses:

Aragonite (Mindat) (RRUFF)

• Fluorescence under Longwave (365nm LED) UV light: Red
• Fluorescence under Midwave (305nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Pink
• Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: White
• Afterglow after exposure to Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Blue