Marialite, Calcite, Phlogopite, Afghanite, +++ - Afghanistan

Contributed by: Mark Cole
Date: Apr 12th, 2026
Locality: Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan (See on Mindat)
Size: 3 x 2 x 4 inches
Weight: 13.8 oz

Description:
Under FULLWAVE UV (LW+MW+SW) this piece is amazing, and pretty striking under SW too. Bright orange fluorescing calcite appears to be the matrix. Sitting on top of that, both sides, are marialite crystals fluorescing a bright yellow, phlogopite crystals a different shade of yellow (which turn to a golden butterscotch color under MW), and a blue/white fluorescence from diopside. The 2nd view has several well-formed afghanite crystals which fluoresce a deep rust color under LW.

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

Fluorescence under fullwave (LW + MW + SW) UV light.

Fluorescence under shortwave UV light.

Fluorescence under midwave UV light.

Fluorescence under longwave UV light.

Normal light.

Fluorescence under fullwave (LW + MW + SW) UV light. Side 2

Normal light. Side 2.

Fluorescence under fullwave (LW + MW + SW) UV light compared to normal light.

Summary of luminescence responses:

Afghanite (Mindat) (RRUFF)

• Fluorescence under Longwave (365nm LED) UV light: Orange

• Fluorescence under Midwave (305nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Red
• Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Red

• Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: White

• Fluorescence under Longwave (365nm LED) UV light: Yellow
• Fluorescence under Midwave (305nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Yellow
• Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Yellow

• Fluorescence under Midwave (305nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Orange
• Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Yellow