Blue Tip Calcite (Phantoms) - Palmarejo Mine, Mexico

Contributed by: Mark Cole
Date: Apr 9th, 2026
Locality: Palmarejo Mine, Palmarejo, Chínipas Municipality, Chihuahua, Mexico (See on Mindat)
Size: 4 x 3 x 5.5 inches
Weight: 1.6 lb

Description:
Calcite crystals (two generations, one growing on top of the other) - creating beautiful phantoms. The internal crystal seems to be manganese activated, fluorescing a bright orange. The overlain crystal fluoresces a ghostly blue. The orange calcite glows best SW while the blue calcite is best MW - but looks great under either light. There is also a subdued response LW, and areas and nicely phosphorescent after exposure to SW.

It has twinned crystals and some fish-tail types. The crystals are relatively clear and very well formed with the second-generation crystal completely enclosing the first-generation crystal. The Palmarejo Mine is a gold and silver mine. Palmarejo Mine, Palmarejo, Mun. de Chínipas, Chihuahua, Mexico

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

Fluorescence under shortwave UV light.

Fluorescence under midwave UV light.

Fluorescence under longwave UV light.

Afterglow after exposure to shortwave UV light.

Normal light.

Summary of luminescence responses:

Calcite (Mindat) (RRUFF)

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