Calcite and Aragonite - Helvetia Mining District, Arizona
Contributed by: Mark Cole
Date: Apr 13th, 2026
Locality: Helvetia, Helvetia-Rosemont Mining District, Pima County, Arizona, USA (See on Mindat)
Size: 4 x 2 x 6 inches
Weight: 2.45 lb
Description:
Calcite (orange) and aragonite (blue/white) from the Helvetia Mining area near Tucson Arizona. This piece was collected during a visit to the Tucson Gem show in 2017. We made a side visit to the mine and brought back numerous wonders. A short photo essay on this collecting trip was posted in the Facebook Fluorescent Mineral group: (https://www.facebook.com/groups/fluorescentminerals/permalink/10154967437873571/).
The first picture is shortwave, followed by a gallery of LW and MW images. The aragonite is briefly phosphorescent.
Originally posted by Mark Cole on Nature's Rainbows in 2017.
Summary of luminescence responses:
Aragonite (Mindat) (RRUFF)
- Fluorescence under Longwave (365nm LED) UV light: White
- Fluorescence under Midwave (305nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: White
- Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: White
- Afterglow after exposure to Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: White
- Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Red