Spinel, Pargasite, Chondrodite on Marble - Vietnam
Contributed by: Mark Cole
Date: Apr 6th, 2026
Locality: L?c Yên District, Yên Bái Province, Vietnam (See on Mindat)
Size: 4 x 2 x 5 inches
Weight: 1.76 lb
Description:
Carved pieces of marble with spinel, pargasite, and chondrodite appeared out of Vietnam a few years ago. I was able to get my hands on some rough and they can be quite attractive, especially under fullwave UV (SW+LW). The spinel really pops under LW, while the others require SW to fluoresce.
Originally posted by Mark Cole on Nature's Rainbows in 2016.
Summary of luminescence responses:
Chondrodite (Mindat) (RRUFF)
- Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Orange
- Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Green
- Fluorescence under Longwave (365nm LED) UV light: Red