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!

Fluorite on Sphalerite - China

Contributed by: Mark Cole
Date: Apr 9th, 2026
Locality: Chenzhou, Hunan, China (See on Mindat)
Size: 2.5 x 2 x 3 inches
Weight: 9.2 oz

Description:
High power 365nm LED lights are changing the fluorescent mineral hobby. Folks can now collect fluorescent minerals with a light costing under $60 and find simply beautiful specimens. This piece from China is really only a LW piece - SW and MW do not really do much. Interestingly, the sphalerite is not phosphorescent.

Originally posted by Mark Cole on Nature's Rainbows in 2018.

Fluorescence under longwave UV light.
Fluorescence under longwave UV light.
Normal light.
Normal light.

Summary of luminescence responses:

Fluorite (Mindat) (RRUFF)

  • Fluorescence under Longwave (365nm LED) UV light: Blue
Sphalerite (Mindat) (RRUFF)
  • Fluorescence under Longwave (365nm LED) UV light: Yellow

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