Hauyne, Gonnardite, Calcite, Phlogopite - Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Contributed by: Mark Cole
Date: Apr 13th, 2026
Locality: Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan (See on Mindat)
Size: 2.5 x 1 x 7 inches
Weight: 22.2 oz

Description:
As with most of these new minerals out of Afghanistan, this rock benefits from all three wavelengths, what I call "Fullwave" - SW+MW+LW. The hauyne fluoresces a burnt orange under LW, the calcite is exceedingly bright under MW, and the gonnardite seems to do best under LW although fluorescent under all three. There are a few areas of bright yellow phlogopite which only reacts to SW.

Gonnardite forms as a replacement mineral for hauyne and pieces with the mix are exceptionally attractive.

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