Fluorescent Mineral Database

A new secret project! Trying to create a nice Fluorescent Mineral Database (FMDB), which would be searchable by mineral, locality, and luminescence properties. Also making it easy for people to contribute with their own specimens!

Phosphorescent Puttapa - Willemite and Calcite, Australia

Contributed by: Mark Cole
Date: Apr 2nd, 2026
Locality: Beltana Mine, Puttapa, Pastoral Unincorporated Area, South Australia, Australia (See on Mindat)

Description:
The first picture was taken with no lights - NONE. It is a piece of very phosphorescent material from the Puttapa Mine in Australia. I was quick enough to even capture the brief intense phosphorescence (BIP) from the calcite. The colors are amazing when captured with a camera, but your eye averages everything out to a green glow.

The second picture shows the same piece under shortwave UV.

Originally posted by Mark Cole on Nature's Rainbows in 2016.

Afterglow after exposure to shortwave UV light.
Afterglow after exposure to shortwave UV light.
Fluorescence under shortwave UV light.
Fluorescence under shortwave UV light.

Summary of luminescence responses:

Calcite (Mindat) (RRUFF)

  • Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Red
  • Afterglow after exposure to Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Red
Willemite (Mindat) (RRUFF)
  • Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Blue
  • Afterglow after exposure to Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Green

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