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!

Willemite and Calcite - Third Plain Zinc Mine, Australia

Contributed by: Mark Cole
Date: Apr 12th, 2026
Locality: Third Plain zinc deposit, Angorigina, Pastoral Unincorporated Area, South Australia, Australia (See on Mindat)

Description:
This is an exquisite specimen from the Third Plain Zinc Mine in Australia. Very bright under shortwave (actually brighter than most of its brethren from the Puttapa mine) it also offers up a dramatic phosphorescence, and a yellow fluorescence under MW to boot. Both the green and bluish fluorescence appear to be willemite, while the orange/red is calcite. There may be other unknowns in this piece. Do not miss the phosphorescent picture - quite amazing.

Originally posted by Mark Cole on Nature's Rainbows in 2017.

Fluorescence under shortwave UV light.
Fluorescence under shortwave UV light.
Fluorescence under midwave UV light.
Fluorescence under midwave UV light.
Afterglow after exposure to shortwave UV light.
Afterglow after exposure to shortwave UV light.
Normal light.
Normal light.
Normal light. Specimen size image compared to a US dollar bill.
Normal light. Specimen size image compared to a US dollar bill.

Summary of luminescence responses:

Willemite (Mindat) (RRUFF)

  • Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Green
  • Fluorescence under Midwave (305nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Yellow
Calcite (Mindat) (RRUFF)
  • Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Red

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