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!

Zektzerite on Arfvedsonite Granite, Washington Pass, Okanogan County, Washington

Contributed by: Mark Cole
Date: Apr 14th, 2026
Locality: Washington Pass, Golden Horn Batholith, Okanogan County, Washington, USA (See on Mindat)

Description:
Collected by T. Menzel, zektzerite is a lithium sodium zirconium silicate - only found in a couple of places around the world. It was discovered in 1968 by a fellow named Bart Cannon, and in 1975 a gentleman from the area - Jack Zektzer - sent a sample to the Smithsonian where it was determined to be a new mineral.

Shown under SW UV - the dull red is the feldspar in the granite.

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

Fluorescence under shortwave UV light.
Fluorescence under shortwave UV light.
Normal light.
Normal light.

Summary of luminescence responses:

Zektzerite (Mindat) (RRUFF)

  • Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: White
Feldspar (Mindat) (RRUFF)
  • Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Red

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