Afghanite, Calcite, Phlogopite, Marialite, with a Midwave Kicker - Afghanistan

Contributed by: Mark Cole
Date: Apr 13th, 2026
Locality: Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan (See on Mindat)
Size: 3.5 x 3 x 6 inches
Weight: 2.5 lb

Description:
This piece (as most from Afghanistan) is best displayed using multiple wavelengths. This piece shows best under a combination of longwave, midwave and shortwave (fullwave), although it is very respectable under SW alone (second picture). Lots of pictures below the main picture.
While there are numerous afghanite crystals it seems that the matrix is massive blue lazurite mixed with diopside. The diopside fluoresces bluish white under SW. Appears to be a mix of massive phlogopite, marialite, a white fluorescing mineral and maybe more.

Under SW the calcite fluoresces a dark orange, and unknown crystals fluoresce a bluish white - my guess is that the white is diopside. Under MW (only) there are areas of a strong violet/blue fluorescence from fluorapatite - this is one of the few examples of MW only fluorescence I have observed.
Midwave causes the calcite to pop very nicely. Longwave brings out the orange color of the afghanite crystals. MW and LW bring out the bright yellow of the marialite very nicely. If I were to display it under only one light, I would probably pick SW, preferably with a LW "kicker".

The closeups below show various interesting areas. Note that the phlogopite on this piece is fluorescent, a bright yellow SW and a butterscotch under MW. Click any thumbnail for larger pictures.

A note about the blue stuff:
Most of the blue minerals from Badakhshan are members of the Cancrinite Sodalite Group. These include the following:
- Lazurite: Na₆Ca₂(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)(SO₄,S,S₂, S₃,Cl,OH)₂
- Afghanite: Na₂₂Ca₁₀(Si₂₄Al₂₄)O₉₆(SO₄)₆Cl₆
- Haüyne: (Na,K)₃(Ca,Na)(Al₃Si₃O₁₂)(SO₄,S,Cl
- Nosean: Na₈(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)(SO₄) Â· H2O
- Sodalite: Na₈(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)Cl₂

All of these minerals are often misidentified and confused with each other. The absence of calcium and chlorine (or the presence) is often the only characteristic separating nosean from hauyne for example, in massive form (no crystals) there is little visible difference. Lazurite has more sulfide while hauyne has more sulfate. Minrec reports that most lazurite is sulfide-rich hauyne. I am pretty sure much of the massive material also has afghanite thrown in for good measure.

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